Intense rainfall, storm surges expected in Northern Luzon from Typhoon Lawin

Typhoon Lawin (international name: Heima) may yet become a supertyphoon and is still on course to slam into Northern Luzon this Thursday, according to state weather forecasters.

The provinces of Northern Luzon—including Cagayan, Isabela, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Norte—can expect heavy to intense rainfall and strong winds this Thursday and Friday. Surrounding coastal areas can expect storm surges of up to 5 meters, according to PAGASA.

Although the NCR and Southern Luzon will not experience the worst of the typhoon, these areas can still expect cloudy skies and occasional rains.

"Kahit malayo ang mga lugar na ito sa mata ng bagyo, malawak pa rin ang sakop ni Bagyong Lawin kaya makakaasa pa rin tayo ng pag-ulan sa mga lugar na ito," said GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Lawin was posited 930 km east of Tayabas, Quezon, packing very strong sustained winds of 185 kph near its center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

The typhoon is moving west-northwest at 25 kph and is forecast to make landfall in Cagayan by early Thursday morning. From there, Lawin is expected to cross through Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte over the day.

Lawin is seen to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday afternoon.

Tropical Cyclone Warning No. 1 was hoisted over the following areas, which can expect up to 60 kph winds within the next 36 hours:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Apayao
• Cagayan including Calayan group of Islands
• Batanes group of Islands
• Isabela
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mt. Province
• Ifugao
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Benguet
• La Union
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Pangasinan
• Catanduanes and Polillo Islands

"Maraming dalang panganib itong si Bagyong Lawin, unang-una ang lakas ng hangin na nakapipinsala at puwede ring magdulot ng daluyong. Maliban dito, meron ding matinding ulan sa Northern Luzon, kaya dapat mag-ingat po tayo sa flash floods at landslides," Mang Tani warned. — GMA News