Lenten travelers warned

Chedeng is expected to weaken once it hits the central or northern parts of Luzon as the Philippines celebrates the long Easter weekend.

“This is very strong and it will maintain its strength as it nears, although we expect that the typhoon will weaken,” Cayanan said in a televised briefing.

“But this will still be typhoon intensity so it will bring strong winds when it makes landfall on the eastern coast,” she added.

With a 600-km diameter, the typhoon will unleash gusty winds and heavy to at times intense rains over northern and central Luzon.

Mahar Lagmay, Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Noah) executive director, said Noah would issue storm surge warnings in affected municipalities tomorrow, when it has more information for accurate forecast.

The AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Gregorio Catapang, placed military forces in Luzon on red alert on Wednesday.

The Philippine National Police said it had mapped out its own disaster preparedness plan.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas reminded police and local government officials to look after the safety of not only local residents but also of tourists, who are expected to flock to various religious destinations in Luzon during the Holy Week.

“We should be able to consider the travelers as well in our preparations if (Chedeng) makes a landfall,” Roxas said in a statement. “Whether the typhoon gains strength or weakens, the important thing is for us to be ready and alert.” With reports from Marlon Ramos and Cynthia D. Balana in Manila; Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

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