‘Lawin’ gets closer to Batanes

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon “Lawin” maintained its strength as it gets closer to Batanes, weather bureau PAGASA said on Thursday, September 27.

In its 11 pm bulletin, PAGASA noted that as of 10 pm Lawin (international codename: Jelawat) was located 200 East of Itbayat, Batanes (21.2°N, 124.0°E), with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 220 km/h.

The typhoon is moving Northwest at 13 km/h and by Friday morning will be 120 km East of Taiwan.

Public storm warning signal #3 (101-185 km/h winds) is hoisted over the Batanes groups of islands, where moderate damage to agriculture can be expected, especially rice and corn crops.

The winds may also cause uprooting of some large trees.

Partial or total unroofing of houses made from light materials (nipa, cogon, old galvanized iron roofing) is possible and sea travel of all types is risky, the weather bureau warned.

Storm signal #2 (60-100 km/h winds) applies to Cagayan, including the Calayan and Babuyan groups of islands.

PAGASA alerted residents living in coastal areas under storm signals #3 & #2 against big waves or storm surges generated by Lawin.

Storm signal #1 (30-60 km/h winds) is in place for Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and Isabela.

Heavy to intense rainfall (10-20 mm/h) is expected within the 750 km diameter of the typhoon, which will move just off eastern Taiwan over the weekend.

Here is PAGASA’s latest severe weather report on Lawin:

TCW#3 27 September

– Rappler.com