Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The effects of typhoon “Julian” prompted the evacuation of 211 families, or 616 individuals as it poses a direct threat to Cagayan province.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that numerous municipalities had implemented precautionary evacuations as of last night at 11 PM.
Among the municipalities affected were Sta. Gonzaga (15 families, 47 individuals), Pamplona (2 families, 6 individuals), Calayan Island (150 families, 454 individuals), Praxedes (19 families, 51 individuals), and Gattaran (25 families, 58 individuals).
According to the PDRRMC, evacuees were taken to churches, schools, barangay halls, and evacuation centers; in some cases, they stayed with neighbors who had stronger homes.
Most evacuees resided in homes constructed of light materials, making them susceptible to damage from the typhoon’s high winds and heavy rains. Additionally, many lived in low-lying areas near rivers and coastal regions prone to flooding.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 had previously instructed local governments to carry out preventive evacuations due to the potential hazards of flooding and landslides caused by Typhoon Julian’s accompanying rainfall.
Meanwhile, 31 individuals in Basco were evacuated because of the ongoing threat posed by the typhoon.
According to the Emergency Operations Center of the Basco local government unit (LGU), Barangay San Antonio and Barangay Kaychanarianan underwent preventive evacuations yesterday.
Barangay officials and the LGU’s Emergency Operations Center remain prepared to respond quickly to any additional residents who may need to be evacuated.
Classes have been suspended at all levels in the towns of Abulug, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Calayan, Gattaran, Iguig, Lal-lo, Sta. Praxedes, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City.
Furthermore, on the advice of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Governor Marilou Cayco of Batanes issued an order postponing government office activities and school classes from September 30 to October 1.
The weather agency has issued a warning stating that Julian could still strengthen and potentially become a super typhoon as it approaches Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
