'Lando' weakens, 12 provinces under signal no. 2

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu) slightly weakened on Monday morning as it slowly moved toward Apayao, Ilocos Norte and Abra, the weather bureau announced.

In its 5 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 in Benguet, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao and Abra. Light to moderate damage is expected among high-risk structures in these areas.

Signal no. 1 is hoisted in Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Aurora, Isabela, Batanes and Metro Manila.

Stormy weather is expected in areas under signal no. 2 while occasional rains and gusty winds will be experienced in provinces under signal no. 1.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of provinces under the storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Storm surge may reach up to 2 meters in the areas affected. Fisherfolk are also advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

Heavy to intense rainfall is expected in areas within the 500-kilometer diameter of the typhoon, PAGASA said.

The center of the typhoon was located in the vicinity of Santiago, Ilocos Sur as of 4 a.m. 

Typhoon Lando packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is seen to move north northeast at 5 kph at reach 260 km north of Itbayat, Batanes on Friday.