Lando weakens into tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Lando (international name Koppu) has weakened into a tropical storm on Tuesday morning, October 20 as it moves slowly towards Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.

As of 10 am Tuesday, state weather bureau PAGASA estimated the center of Lando at 125 km west of Calayan, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 100 km/h.

It is moving northeast in direction at 4 km/h, with moderate to heavy to at times intense rainfall estimated within the tropical storm’s 650-km diameter.

Lando is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility or at 500 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Sunday morning, October 25. 

These areas are still under Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 (61-120 km/h expected in 24 hours): 

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Apayao
• Abra
• Batanes
• Northern Cagayan including the Calayan and Babuyan islands

Meanwhile, 9 areas are still under Signal No. 1 (30-60 km/h expected in 36 hours): 

• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Kalinga
• Mt Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Isabela
• The rest of Cagayan

PAGASA said storm surge in provinces affected by the tropical storm may reach a maximum of up to 1.5 meters.

“Occasional rains and gusty winds will be experienced over provinces under PSWS #1 while those under PSWS #2 will have stormy weather. Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of the provinces with PSWS are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides,” the bureau said in its 11 am bulletin issued Tuesday. 

PAGASA has warned fisherfolk against venturing out over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

The next bulletin on Tropical Storm Lando will be issued at 5 pm Tuesday. –Rappler.com