‘Lando' slows down, lowers signal in some areas

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 5:24 p.m.)– The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday said Typhoon “Lando” slightly weakened as it made its first landfall but still caused a “orange rainfall” warning over Nueva Ecija and lowered public storm warning signal over the rest of Luzon.

Typhoon “Lando” made its first landfall in the town of Casiguran, Aurora province around 1 a.m. reducing its maximum sustained winds from 185 kilomerters per hour (kph) to 175 kph with gustiness between 220 kph to 210.

Its landfall still caused heavy rains that prompted PAGASA to issue “orange rainfall” warning over the province of Nueva Ecija at 7 a.m.  where the province is expected to experience rainfall amount between 15 millimeters (mm) and 300 mm within an hour.

The “orange rainfall” is the PAGASA’s second in its three-stage rainfall warning system.

The provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac on the other hand are under “yellow rainfall” warning with rainfall amount expected between 7.5 mm and 15 mm within a hour and beyond.

"Flooding is threatening and public and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council concerned are advised to monitor the weather condition and watch for the next advisory to be issued at 10 a.m. today," PAGASA said.

The communities under rainfall warning are advised to monitor weather condition and be aware of the possible flooding in low-lying areas.

Aside from rainfall warnings, Typhoon “Lando” also raised public storm warning signal over the rest of Luzon.

Aurora Province is now under public storm warning signal number 3 lowered from signal number 4 along with Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, La Union and Pangasinan.

On the other hand, Lando maintained signal number 2 in Metro Manila. Signal number 2 is also raised in the provinces of Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Northern Quezon including Polillo Islands.

PAGASA also raised signal number 1 in Batanes, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and rest of Quezon while storm signals elsewhere were lowered.

Provinces with public storm warning signal numbers 2, 3 and 4 will experience stormy weather while the rest will experience occasional rains and gusty winds and alarmed of possible flash floods and landslides.

The weather bureau also advised the fisherfolks of the gale warning as the sea condition would be rough to very rough due to strong gale force winds in the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas, Northern and Eastern seaboards of Mindanao.

"Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," the gale warning read.

As of 3 p.m. Typhoon “Lando” was traced northeast of Carrangalan, Nueva Ecija.

PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said the slow movement of “Lando” was due to the presence of High Pressure Area and also traverse in landmass. It is expected to traverse the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) and Isabela then will exit landmass in Cagayan by Wednesday or Thursday.

”Halos stationary (ang) bagyong Lando dahil may humaharang na HPA at nasa landmass at inaasahan din natin ito hihina,” Javier said.

Typhoon “Lando” is expected to move towards Taiwan once it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility.