Ramil alyas Lupit

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Ramil (international codename: Lupit) has weakened slightly as it continued to move towards Northern Luzon, the Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday.


In its latest weather bulletin, Pagasa said Ramil was seen 600 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan packing maximum sustained winds of up to 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 210 kph.

It is forecast to move westward at 15 kph, the state-run weather bureau said.

Signal number 2 remains over Batanes group of islands, Cagayan, Calayan Island, Babuyan Island, Kalinga, Apayao and Isabela.

Signal number 1 remains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mt. Province, Benguet, La Union, Ifugao, N. Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Northern Quezon and Polillo Island.

Residents living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides while those living along coastal areas should stay alert for possible storm surges, Pagasa said.

Northern Luzon and the eastern section of Central Luzon will experience occasional to frequent rains with gusty winds ad coastal waters will be moderate to rough, Pagasa said. 
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, it added.

By Thursday morning, Ramil is forecast to be 280 kms east- northeast of Aparri, Cagayan and at 70 kph east-northeast of Aparri, Cagayan by Friday morning.  By Saturday morning, the typhoon is expected to be over the vicinity of Laoag city or 50 kms north of Vigan City, Pagasa said.