Signal no. 1 up in Batanes as Typhoon Julian re-enters PAR

Signal number 1 was raised over Itbayat, Batanes as Typhoon Julian re-entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday.

Under Signal No. 1, winds of 39-61 km/h may be expected in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains may be expected within 36 hours, PAGASA said.

Further, local winds may be slightly stronger or enhanced in coastal and upland or mountainous areas exposed to winds, while winds are weaker in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.

Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1, PAGASA said.

The state weather bureau said Julian is forecast to make landfall over southwestern Taiwan this Thursday afternoon.

"Due to a combination of incoming northeasterly wind flow over the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait and lower ocean heat content in its vicinity (which is related to upwelling of cooler waters caused by its slow movement for nearly three days), JULIAN is forecast to continue weakening," PAGASA said.

"Despite its re-entry in the PAR region, no direct effect is anticipated over the country except for Batanes, which is relatively close to Taiwan," PAGASA added.

Moving East Northeastward, the tropical cyclone has maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 165 km/h.

The center of the eye was estimated based on all available data 245 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.4 °N, 120.2 °E ).

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday, two people were reported killed while eight were injured due to the heavy rains and strong winds caused by Typhoon Julian.

In its 8 a.m. situational report, the NDRRMC said the reported fatalities were one individual from Region 1 (Ilocos Region) and one from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The eight injured persons were from Region 2 (Cagayan Valley). One person was also confirmed missing because of Julian. —VAL/KBK, GMA Integrated News