‘Lawin’ exits with no big damage

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon “Lawin” did not cause any significant damage but fishermen are still advised not to venture out into the sea as gale-force winds are still affecting many parts of Luzon and the Visayas, a top National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) official said on Friday.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said the typhoon indirectly led to the deaths of three persons—two in Zamboanga, and one in Cebu—but did not cause any major damage to the country’s infrastructure and agricultural sector.

“It’s on its way north and outside the country’s area’s of responsibility but fishermen are still advised against going out to sea because of gale-force winds,” Ramos said in an interview.

Government weather forecasters said gale-force winds still affected the eastern seaboard of Luzon, the seaboard of Southern Luzon, and the western seaboard of Visayas on Friday.

As of 4:00 p.m. Friday, the weather bureau said the eye of Typhoon Lawin was located based on satellite and surface data at 365 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is forecast to move northeast at 17 kph.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the Batanes Group of Islands will experience rains with gusty winds.

The regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Metro Manila will be cloudy with occasional light to moderate rains or thunderstorms.