Metro Manila: Typhoon Lawin has further intensified Wednesday morning and continues to pose a threat over the Cagayan-Isabela area, local media reports said.
The center of the typhoon was located 385 km east of Casiguran, Aurora as of 10 a.m, CNN Philippines quoted the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as saying in its 11am update on Wednesday.
PAGASA weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio reportedly said Lawin has gained strength and is now packing maximum sustained winds of 220 kph near the center, and its gustiness is at 305 kph.
Lawin is nearing the super typhoon status, Aurelio added.
It is expected to intensify into a super typhoon before it makes landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area either 11pm Wednesday or 2 am Thursday, the report said, adding that after it makes landfall, Lawin is expected to cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Aurelio also reportedly said Signal No. 5 may be raised in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela Wednesday afternoon. It is forecast to move west northwest at 26 kph.
Signal No. 4 has been raised over Southern Cagayan and Isabela. Signal No. 3 has been raised over rest of Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino and Northern Aurora.
Signal No. 2 has been raised over Calayan Group of Islands, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, rest of Aurora and Tarlac.
Signal No. 1 has been raised over Batanes Group of Islands, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Northern Quezon, including Polillo Islands, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes, the CNN Philippines reported.
The national weather station reportedly predicts Lawin will be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday evening or Friday morning.
