'Lawin' slows down, changes course

MANILA (Updated 5:35 p.m.) - Tropical Storm "Lawin" has slowed down as it changes its course in a North Northwest direction, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

Lawin was spotted at 390 kilometer East of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 1 p.m. Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up 120 kph.

Eastern Samar was placed under storm warning signal number 2, while Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Western Samar and Leyte were placed under storm warning signal number 1.

Areas under storm warning signal number 1 will experience winds from 30 to 60 kph, while those under storm warning signal number 2 will experience 61 to 100 kph.

The weather bureau forecasted Lawin to be at 330 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar on Sunday morning, 290 km Northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar by Monday morning, and at 290 km Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Tuesday morning.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10-25 millimeter per hour (heavy - intense) within the 600 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal #2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical storm.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by Tropical Storm Lawin.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions. (Sunnex)