Tropical Depression Julian weakens into LPA, exits PAR

Tropical Depression Julian further weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) on Friday as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to PAGASA.

At 10 a.m., the LPA was located 480 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes and is moving northward at 45 kilometers per hour, forecasted to merge with a frontal system over Taiwan.

While no tropical cyclone wind signals are currently hoisted in the Philippines, scattered rains and thunderstorms will continue to affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, mainland Cagayan, Zambales, Bataan, western seaboard of Calamian Islands, northern mainland Palawan, and Kalayaan Islands.

Moderate or rough seas up to 3.0 meters are expected over the seaboards of these areas, with mariners advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions.

Five people were reported dead during Julian's onslaught in Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, while one person is missing in Cordillera; two deaths have been confirmed so far.

A total of 242,973 people or 69,290 families were affected by the storm, with damage to infrastructure worth P738.15 million and agriculture worth P309.17 million reported.