Heavy rains and strong wind unleashed by typhoon Julian in Uyugan, Batanes. Courtesy of Meryll Hortiz/Screenshot

MANILA (UPDATE) — Several provinces in northern Philippines have felt the impact of typhoon Julian as it nears super typhoon strength as of Monday afternoon. 

• Julian nears super typhoon intensity, Signal no. 5 possible

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Julian was last located 95 kilometers west southwest of Itbayat, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center, with 215 kph gusts.

In the northern part of Cagayan, footage from Calayan town's disaster office showed strong winds and rain brought by the typhoon in the area.

In Claveria, Cagayan, the Cabicungan River has already overflowed, and strong winds are also pounding the coastlines.

According to the social media post of Cagayan Provincial Information Office, 828 individuals from 284 families have been evacuated due to the typhoon. Preemptive evacuations have been carried out in six other towns, namely Sta. Praxedes, Gattaran, Calayan, Pamplona, Gonzaga, and Sta. Ana.

Several towns have also declared class suspensions from pre-school to college.

MAN DIES FROM ELECTROCUTION

In Sta. Ana, Cagayan, a man was declared dead on arrival after being struck by a power line while riding a motorcycle. 

According to the investigation by the PNP, strong winds this morning caused the power line to sag and fall on Benjoe Castrence, 26, who was driving at that time. The hospital's examination confirmed that electrocution was the cause of his death.

Meanwhile, a video taken by resident Vince Gabilo shows strong winds and heavy rainfall in Sabtang at 6:00 a.m. this morning.

Cagayan is still under Signal No. 2, except for the towns of Sta. Ana and the Babuyan Group of Islands, which are under Signal No. 3, while the Batanes Group of Islands is under Signal No. 4.

BATANES

Meanwhile, some areas in Uyugan town in Batanes have been flooded due to typhoon Julian, including its plaza in front of the municipal hall. The flood subsided at around 1 p.m Monday afternoon.

• Northern Luzon braces for impact as Julian intensifies into typhoon

The municipality immediately conducted a clearing operation to clean up trees struck down by the strong winds.

Local officials are continuously monitoring the water level of its rivers as rains persist in the province. Some residents have also been preemptively evacuated.

Julian is forecast to move generally westward to northwestward while decelarating over the Bashi Channel Monday, and will begin recurving by Tuesday.

It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.  — Reports from PJ Cabanos and Harris Julio

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