Central, Northern Luzon to feel brunt of Typhoon Lando this weekend

 

 

Central and Northern Luzon are in for strong winds and potentially heavy rain this weekend from an approaching tropical storm that is likely to strengthen into a typhoon by the time it reaches the country.

 

Tropical Storm Koppu entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) around 2 p.m. Wednesday and was given the local codename "Lando". As of 4 p.m., it was posited 1,410 km east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph.

 

Lando is forecast to track toward the country at 22 kph, with possible landfall in Isabela early Sunday morning.

"Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 500 km diameter of the tropical storm. Fisher folk are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon," PAGASA warned.

 

Meanwhile, the US' Joint Typhoon Warning Center's (JTWC's) said as of 5 p.m. Wednesday that Lando may strengthen into a typhoon by Thursday afternoon and continue to gain strength before hitting the country.

 

 

Although far from Lando's immediate effects, Visayas can expect intermittent heavy rains this Thursday as Lando draws in rainclouds across the region. — GMA News