Typhoon Julian batters Batanes

Residents in some towns of Batanes, which is now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, have evacuated from their homes due to the effects of Typhoon Julian, according to GMA Integrated News’ Jonathan Andal on Monday.

Based on Andal’s post on X (formerly Twitter), 93 individuals or 22 families in Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, and Itbayat left their houses amid the onslaught of the typhoon, which is seen to develop into a super typhoon on Tuesday.

Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco showed in a video strong winds and rains affecting the town of Basco on Monday morning.

"Sobrang, sobrang lakas na po ng bagyo dito sa Batanes. Magdamag na po kaming binayo ng Bagyong Julian,” Cayco said.

(The typhoon is very, very strong here in Batanes. Typhoon Julian has battered us overnight.)

According to the governor, some areas in the province are experiencing power outages.

Based on PAGASA’s 8 a.m. bulletin, Batanes and the northern portion of Babuyan Islands are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4.

Julian was located over the coastal waters of Balintang Island in Calayan, Cagayan packing a maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. It was moving west northwestward at 10 kph.

PAGASA said Julian may make landfall over Balintang Island or Batanes on Monday and may reach super typhoon category on Tuesday. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News