‘Lando’ Intensifies into Typhoon, 14 Areas in Luzon Now Under Signal No. 1

Severe tropical storm “Lando” has intensified into typhoon and is now threatening the Aurora-Isabela area as 14 areas in Luzon are now under public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday.

PAGASA defines a typhoon an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said that as of 5 a.m. Friday, the eye of Typhoon Lando was located 650 km east of Baler, Aurora (15.5°N, 127.6°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move west at 15 kph.

If it maintains its speed and movement, Lando is expected to make landfall in Aurora-Isabela area by Saturday or Sunday.

He said public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is now hoisted over the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Quezon including Polillo Island, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

Aurelio said the estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to intense within the 550-km diameter of the typhoon.

For Friday forecast, he noted northeast monsoon is now affecting Northern and Central Luzon as cloudy skies with light rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, regions of Cordillera, Ilocos and Central Luzon.

He added due to outer spiral of typhoon Lando, light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and the provinces of Aurora, Rizal and Quezon.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

Typhoon Lando is forecast to be at 315 km east of Baler, Aurora by Saturday morning.

By Sunday morning is expected to be at 60 km north- northeast of Casiguran, Aurora and by Monday morning in the vicinity of Lacub, Abra

By Tuesday morning it is forecast to be at 135 km northwest of Calayan, Cagayan and by Wednesday morning at 170 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

Fisherfolk are advised not to venture out over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, western seaboard of Central Luzon and eastern seaboard of Visayas because of strong to gale force winds associated with northeast monsoon due to Lando.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the west to southwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PNA) JBP/CLTC