Signal No. 4 possible over Northern Luzon as ‘Lawin’ nears

The graphics provided by Pagasa shows the possible track of Typhoon Lawin. PAGASA IMAGE

Tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 4 might be raised over four areas in Northern Luzon when Typhoon “Lawin” hits sometime Thursday, the weather bureau warned Tuesday.

The weather bureau issued the warning as it raised signal no. 1 over 12 areas namely: Cagayan, the Calayan group of islands; Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Northern Aurora, Polillo Islands and Catanduanes.

Signal No. 4 might be raised over Cagayan, the Calayan islands, Apayao and Ilocos Norte as early as Wednesday evening, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) during a disaster preparedness meeting in Camp Aguinaldo.

Strong winds can topple trees and down power lines under Signal No. 4. Storm surges of up to five meters are also possible along the coast of Cagayan.

Moderate to heavy rain is forecast in Cagayan early Thursday to Friday in Northern Luzon, Pagasa’s Aldczar Aurelio said in a separate televised  press briefing.

Lawin will make landfall in Cagayan early Thursday before it crosses Apayao, Ilocos Norte and the West Philippine Sea.

If it continues its track, it will exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday.

Aurelio warned of risky sea travel over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon, western seaboard of Central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Samar.

As of 10 a.m., Tuesday, Lawin was at 950 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte. It packed maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

It was moving west northwest at 25 kph. CBB/rga