NDRRMC preps for Typhoon LAWIN

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council held its second Pre Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting in preparation for TY LAWIN, on October 18, at the NDRRM Operations Center, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The meeting was attended by NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Usec Ricardo B Jalad, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations Asec Rodolfo Demosthenes C Santillian and representatives from Member Agencies namely, AFP, PAGASA, DOST-Project NOAH, PNP, MGB, DILG, PCG, DPWH, DepEd, DOH, PDRF, PIA and UN OCHA. Regional DRRM Councils of Regions I, II, III and CAR also participated in the meeting via Skype.

As of 4:00 PM of October 18, TY LAWIN was located at 930 km East of Tayabas, Quezon with a maximum sustained winds of up to of up to 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is moving in a west northwest direction at 25 kph and has intensified as it traverse the Philip

pine Sea.

The typhoon is expected to intensify further before making landfall. Moderate to heavy rainfall within the 650 km diameter of the typhoon is expected. It is likely to make landfall over Cagayan Area by early morning on Thursday, then it will cross Apayao and Ilocos Norte. TY LAWIN is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday morning.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) number 1 is raised over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Cagayan including Calayan group of Islands, Batanes group of Islands, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Catanduanes and Polillo Islands.

The issuance of TCWS number 4 is possible over the Provinces of Cagayan including Calayan Group of Islands tomorrow. Very strong winds which may destroy high to low risk structures and topple down tress and transmission towers is  expected. Sea travel and other coastal activities is risky over the eastern seaboard of Luzon as early as Wednesday.

Residents in low-lying areas are alerted against the possibility of landslides and flashfloods. The occurence of storm surge of up to 5 meters is likely over the coast of Cagayan including Calayan Group of Islands and northern tip of Ilocos Norte.

The National Council has advised all Regional and Local DRRM Councils concerned to take precautionary measures related to the typhoon. DILG has directed Local Government Units (LGUs) through the Operation L!sto protocols and has issued Ban Notice for tourist activities like mountaineering, diving, swimming and others. DSWD has ensured the replenishment of  necessary food and non-food items in LGUs likely to be affected. DPWH is prepositioning clearing operations equipment for early mobilization.

Currently, Regional and Local DRRM Councils with the help of AFP are testing communication lines to ensure connectivity at the height of TY LAWIN.

The National DRRM Operations Center is still on Red Alert status. The public is advised to undertake preparedness measures and continue to monitor updates on this weather system through radio, television and social media.