‘Lawin’ nears supertyphoon level; Signal No. 4 up in S. Cagayan, Isabela

This satellite image from Pagasa shows the location of Typhoon Lawin as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Signal No. 4 was raised in southern Cagayan and Isabela as powerful typhoon “Lawin” (international name: Haima) neared northern Luzon midday Wednesday.

Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said in a televised press briefing that Lawin was nearing supertyphoon level, with maximum sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 305 kph.

As of 11 a.m. the typhoon was sighted 450 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, moving with a speed of 26 kph west northwest.

Lawin may make landfall as early as 11 p.m. Wednesday up to early Thursday, Aurelio said.

Signal No. 3 was raised over rest of Cagayan, Abra, Apayao, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Kalinga and northern Aurora.

Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Calayan Group of Islands, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, rest of Aurora and Tarlac.

Metro Manila, Batanes Group of Islands, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, northern Quezon Including Polillio Islands, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes were placed under Signal No. 1.

Signal No. 5 may be raised over Cagayan and Isabela on Wednesday afternoon, Aurelio said.

He also warned of storm surges of up to 5 meters over the coast of Cagayan including Calayan group of Islands, Isabela, Northern Aurora and Ilocos Norte.

Lawin will exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday evening or early Friday if it continues its track. IDL

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