Typhoon Lawin weakens but still headed for Batanes-Cagayan

Typhoon Lawin (Jelawat) weakened slightly early Thursday as it continued to move toward the Batanes-Cagayan area in Northern Luzon early Thursday.

 

But PAGASA warned residents of areas in Northern Luzon not to underestimate the supposedly weakened Lawin, which it said is still considered very powerful.

 

"Bahagyang humina si Lawin pero hindi porke't humina si Lawin lalo sa extreme Northern Luzon ay magkumpiyansa na tayo,  napakalakas pa nito  (Lawin slightly weakened but that does not mean residents especially in extreme Northern Luzon can relax. It is still very powerful)," PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio.

^{Satellite image of Typhoon Lawin as of 7 a.m., Sept. 27}  

He said Lawin particularly poses a threat to fishermen and small seacraft in the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas as it can generate big waves.

 

Quitlong also said their models indicate Lawin may remain in the Philippine Area of Responsibility until at least Saturday morning, given its "slow" 13 kph speed.

 

On the other hand, he said that while there is little chance of Lawin making landfall, it may be felt especially in the Batanes area.

 

Earlier, PAGASA had indicated the possibility of Lawin making landfall over the northern tip of Cagayan, but it also said Lawin may pass between Cagayan and Batanes.

 

"Kahit di tatama ang sentro naroon pa rin sa eye wall kaya di ma-distinguish, para kayong nasa sentro lalo sa Batanes (Even if the center of Lawin is not likely to make landfall, the eye wall may hit Batanes, so people there may feel they are at the center of the storm)," he said.

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. advisory indicated Lawin was 350 km east of Calayan Islands as of 4 a.m., with maximum sustained winds of 205 kph near the center and gustiness of up 240 kph.

 

It was moving northwest at 13 kph and is expected to be 125 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes Friday morning, and 185 km east of Taiwan Saturday morning.

 

By Saturday afternoon it is expected to be 260 km northeast of Okinawa, Japan.