Julian weakens into LPA, exits PAR

Tropical Depression Julian weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) on Friday as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Julian weakened into an LPA around 8 a.m. and is expected to merge with the frontal system over the Taiwan area.

The LPA was located 480 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes. It was moving northward at 45 kilometers per hour.

According to PAGASA, moderate or rough seas of up to 3.0 meters are expected over the seaboards of the following areas:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• Ilocos Norte
• the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Region
• Zambales
• northern seaboard of mainland Cagayan
• Bataan
• western seaboard of Lubang Island
• western seaboard of Calamian Islands
• western seaboard of northern mainland Palawan
• Kalayaan Islands

“Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels,” PAGASA said.

Impact

Five people were reported dead during the onslaught of Julian, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In its report on Friday, the NDRRMC said four of the five fatalities were reported in Ilocos Region while the other one in Cagayan Valley.

Only two of the reported deaths have been confirmed, including a 65-year-old male in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte who died due to drowning and a 25-year-old male in Sta. Ana, Cagayan who died due to electrocution.

One person was also reported missing in Cordillera.

Meanwhile, eight people were reported injured in Cagayan Valley, according to the NDRRMC.

A total of 242,973 people or 69,290 families were affected by Julian in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera.

Damage to infrastructure worth P738,157,080 and to agriculture worth P309,168,211 were reported. Also, P1,540,000 worth of damage was reported in irrigation systems.

A state of calamity has been declared in Ilocos Norte and Batanes.

--Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News