Typhoon Julian causes flooding in parts of northern Luzon

The wind and rain brought by Typhoon Julian were already felt in some areas in northern Luzon, Jasmin Gabriel-Galban reported Sunday on 24 Oras Weekend. 

In Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, farmers are worried by the threat to their rice crops, which are so close to being harvested.

In Batac, Ilocos Norte, some streets were flooded after canals overflowed, while in Quirino, Ilocos Sur, five barangays were affected by a spillway becoming impassable due to the rise in the river's water level.

In Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur, a 16-year-old teenager drowned in the sea after he and his father were carried away by strong currents. Rescuers are still searching for the father.

Residents of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, meanwhile, have been experiencing strong winds and downpours since last Saturday night.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Office (MDRRMO) is monitoring the nine coastal barangays of Sta. Ana since there is a threat of storm surge.

It conducted a meeting with barangay officials and rescue personnel to prepare for the possible effects of Julian.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard went to the coastal barangays to check the situation of fisherfolks and to ensure no one sailed.

Sea travel is strictly prohibited as gale warning is hoisted over northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon.

“Nakataas na po ang mga bangka, naikutan na rin namin lahat, nag-akyat na sila ng mga bangka for safety purposes,” said CG ENS Cyril Mark Lominio, Commander of Coast Guard Substation-Santa Ana.

(The boats were off the water for safety purposes. We also checked all the areas.)

The local government unit of Calayan, Cagayan conducted a meeting to warn the residents of the possible effects of the Julian.

Its rescue personnel also prepositioned its equipment in the area.

“Everything is in place right now. Lahat ng rescue personnel natin ay naka pre-deploy na [All our rescue personnel are deployed],” said Ruelie Rapsing, head of the Cagayan Provincial DRRMO.

The PDRRMO is also monitoring the water level of the Cagayan River.

The public was also warned of the possible flash floods.

Signal No. 4 is currently hoisted over Batanes, while mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte are under Signal No. 2 and Babuyan Islands is under Signal No. 3. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News