THE state weather bureau on Monday said that Typhoon “Julian” (international name: Krathon) is expected to intensify into a super typhoon as it passes over northern Philippines.
In a 5 p.m. bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the 95 kilometers west southwest of Itbayat, Batanes Province.
It was heading west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gustiness of up to 215 kph.
Under PAGASA’s classification, a super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 185 kph or above.
The typhoon is forecasted to move towards Taiwan westward to northwestward and would recurve on Tuesday, then turn generally northeastward on Wednesday towards the southwestern coast of Taiwan. It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early-Thursday.
Amid the expected intensity of winds, the state weather bureau had raised Tropical Wind Signal No. 4 over Batanes Province.
Those in the area are expected to experience wind speed of 118 to 184 kph, with winds posing a significant to severe threat to life and property.
“The peak of devastating typhoon-force winds will be felt over areas under Wind Signal No. 4 this afternoon until evening. Furthermore, the possibility of hoisting Wind Signal No. 5 is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.
Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the northern and western portions of Babuyan Islands.
Mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur was placed under Signal No. 2
On the other hand, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the northern and central portions of Aurora, and the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija.
Separately, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that the government is ready to assist people in areas affected by Julian.
“Thousands of family food packs are now being prepared, healthcare centers are on high alert, and our farmers and fisherfolk are taking steps to safeguard their livelihoods,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement by the Presidential Communications Office.
Typhoon Julian is the Philippines’ sixth tropical cyclone during the month and the 10th tropical cyclone for 2024. — Adrian H. Halili