Ilocos Norte, Batanes declare state of calamity due to Typhoon Julian

Ilocos Norte and Batanes have declared a state of calamity due to the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Julian (Krathon).

In Ilocos Norte, infrastructure damage is estimated at P384 million, impacting over 18,000 families, while agricultural losses amount to P87 million, affecting 8,272 farmers and 4,163 hectares of land.

Batanes reported 172 families displaced and 1,463 homes destroyed, with landslides rendering parts of the national road to southern municipalities impassable.

Damage to property in Batanes has reached P611 million.

The declaration of a state of calamity in Batanes enables the provincial government to use its quick response fund to expedite relief efforts and swiftly implement disaster response and recovery measures.

Typhoon Julian, which reached super typhoon status, affected more than 300,000 hectares of rice fields across Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and other northern provinces.

Across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley, at least 801 families are currently in evacuation centers, with a total of 23 cities and municipalities declaring a state of calamity.

The typhoon has been linked to two reported fatalities, with one person still missing in Abra and another in Paoay, while eight people were injured in Basco, Batanes.