Storm warning signals lifted

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau yesterday lifted storm warning signals in some areas as typhoon “Lawin” (international name Jelawat) veered away from the country.

Storm warning signal no. 1, however, remained hoisted over the Batanes group of islands as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Lawin maintained its strength as it moved north northeast at 17 kilometers per hour (kph).

PAGASA said the Batanes group of islands would continue to 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.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Lawin did not cause significant impact on infrastructure and agriculture.

“There was no significant damage,” NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said.

Lawin left three persons dead and affected 7,743 persons or 3,096 families.

Ramos warned fishermen not to venture out to sea even if Lawin is about to leave the Philippine area of responsibility.

“There are gale force winds that can cause bad weather so our fishermen are advised not to sail out to sea,” he said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Lawin was spotted at 365 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, packing winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up 210 kph.

Lawin is still expected to bring heavy to intense rain (10 to 20 millimeters per hour) within its 750-km radius.

PAGASA continued to warn fishermen not to sail in the eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon due to big waves generated by Lawin and the southwest monsoon.

Lawin is expected to be 720 km northeast of Itbayat or out of the Philippine area of responsibility this afternoon. – With Alexis Romero