MANILA – Typhoon Julian continues to weaken and affect Batanes, the weather bureau said Thursday.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Julian packs maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 170 kph.
It was last seen 265 km. northwest of Itbayat, Batanes outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Strong winds will continue to prevail across Batanes, where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted.
PAGASA said gale warning is hoisted over the northern seaboard of Northern Luzon.
It said very rough seas will prevail over the seaboard of Batanes and sea travel is risky for most types or tonnage of vessels, including all small sea craft and motorbancas.
Meanwhile, PAGASA forecast Julian to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, the Ilocos and Cordillera regions, the rest of Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.
Moderate to heavy rains in those areas could result in flash floods or landslides.
The rest of the country will experience isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms, PAGASA said.
2 dead, nearly 59K families affected
At least two persons were reported dead after Julian battered Northern Luzon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.
The disaster response body’s latest situation report said the two fatalities, which are still being validated, are from the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.
Eight persons were confirmed injured in Cagayan Valley while one missing person was reported in Cordillera.
Meanwhile, 58, 953 families, or 211, 000 persons, residing in 747 barangays in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera were affected by the super typhoon.
Of this number, 308 families, or 922 individuals, are in 26 evacuation centers while 630 families, or 2, 249 persons, are being aided outside shelters.
A total of 363 houses were damaged in the three regions.
Agricultural damage was placed at PHP35.21 million in the Ilocos region. (PNA)