‘Lawin’ May Intensify Into Super Typhoon; to Make a Landfall in Cagayan Area by Thursday

Typhoon ‘Lawin’ (international name ‘Haima’) will make a landfall in Northern Luzon’s Cagayan area and likely to dump heavy to intense rainfall on Thursday.

‘Lawin’ can intensify further while moving closer to the area so this typhoon can bring such rain there aside from fanning strong winds, said weather forecaster Shelly Ignacio of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“Communities concerned must prepare for such possibility,” she said.

She noted that the government might raise tropical cyclone warning 3 on Thursday over the Cagayan area, if 121 kph to 170 kph winds smash there in 18 hours.

In its severe weather bulletin 5 released Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 18), PAGASA located ‘Lawin’ at 930 km east of Quezon province’s Tayabas City as of4 p.m. of the same day.

‘Lawin’ maintained maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, said PAGASA.

PAGASA reported moderate to heavy rainfall within the typhoon’s 650-km diameter.

“The typhoon can still intensify further,” said PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio,

At a press conference Tuesday in Metro Manila, he reiterated PAGASA still hasn’t yet discounted the possibility of ‘Lawin’ intensifying into a super typhoon.

Super typhoon winds exceed 220 kph, he noted.

He said government would raise signal 5 if such winds are expected in 12 hours.

Cagayan, Calayan Islands and Apayao province were among areas where government might raise signal 5 if warranted, he said.

PAGASA forecast ‘Lawin’ to move west-northwestwards at 25 kph.

‘Lawin’ will likely be 330 km east of Aurora province’s Casiguran municipality by Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 19), PAGASA said.

“Government on Wednesday may already raise signal 2 over the Cagayan area since ‘Lawin’ is nearing that location,” said Ignacio.

She said Cagayan could experience moderate to heavy rainfall then.

PAGASA still forecast ‘Lawin’ to cross landmass and head towards Apayao and Ilocos Norte provinces after its landfall in the Cagayan area.

The agency expects ‘Lawin’ to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility this Friday (Oct. 21).

Signal 1 is already hoisted over Cagayan and Calayan Islands as government expects 30 kph to 60 kph winds there in 36 hours, said PAGASA.

Also under signal 1 are Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Catanduanes provinces, Batanes Islands and Polillo Island, PAGASA noted.

PAGASA added waves up to 4.0 meters high are possible in seas there. (PNA) RMA/CJT/SSC