Typhoon Julian maintains TCWS No. 4 over Batanes, Babuyan Islands; intensifies towards super typhoon

Typhoon Julian (international name: Krathon) maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 over Batanes and the northern portion of Babuyan Islands on Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness up to 240 kph.

Julian is forecast to continue intensifying and may reach super typhoon category by Monday evening before moving west northwestward towards the Bashi Channel.

Intense to torrential rains are expected over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Monday, while heavy to intense rains may affect Mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Apayao, Abra, and Benguet.

The peak of devastating typhoon-force winds will be felt in areas under TCWS No. 4 between Monday afternoon and evening, with the possibility of hoisting Wind Signal No. 5 not ruled out as Julian continues to intensify.

Evacuations have been reported in Batanes since Sunday night, prompting several local government units to suspend classes for the day, and some courts also announced work suspensions.

Flight operations were suspended on Monday at Basco Airport due to heavy rains and internet service unavailability, while Tuguegarao Airport had no scheduled flights and incurred no damages.