Signal No. 4 up over Batanes, 2 other areas, violent winds forecast

MANILA – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 has been hoisted over Batanes, Babuyan Island, and Calayan Island as Typhoon Julian moves over Balintang Channel, the weather bureau said Monday.

Batanes and the northeastern portion of Babuyan Islands are experiencing violent winds as significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are forecast in those areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

Julian has maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph. It was last seen over the coastal waters of Balintang Island, Calayan, Cagayan.

Storm-force winds are likely in areas under TCWS No. 3 hoisted over the rest of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).

TCWS No. 2 is hoisted over the rest of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, and these areas will experience gale-force winds.

Strong winds will be experienced in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija (Cuyapo, Rizal, Laur, Pantabangan, Science City of Muñoz, Gabaldon, Carranglan, San Jose City, Lupao, Talugtug, Bongabon, Llanera, Talavera, Palayan City, General Mamerto Natividad), and Polillo Islands that are under TCWS No. 1.

Julian may also bring strong to gale-force gusts over Pangasinan, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Romblon, and Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and northern mainland Cagayan.

Gale warning is hoisted over the seaboards of Northern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.

PAGASA said a landfall scenario over Balintang Island and Batanes remained likely.

Julian will be at its closest to Batanes and Babuyan Islands this morning through afternoon, PAGASA said.

According to radio reports, local government units (LGUs) in many parts of Northern Luzon have suspended classes while Batanes also announced government work suspension.

*Batanes (classes at all levels both private and public, and government work on Monday and Tuesday)
*Ilocos Sur, Batac City, Laoag City, La Union, Abra, Aurora, Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet, (classes at all levels – private and public)
*Cagayan – all levels in Abulug, Amulung, Baggao, Calayan, Cattaran, Iguig, Lal-lo, Santa Praxedes and Tuao. Aparri (public schools only)
*Pangasinan – Rosales, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mapandan, Calasiao, San Fabian, Urdaneta City, Dagupan City, Malasiqui, Bayambang, Binmaley, Santo Tomas, Alcala, Bani, San Quintin, Mangatarem, and Asingan (all levels)
*Apayao, Benguet, Cagayan (Alcala, Allacapan, Pamplona, Peñablanca, Sanchez Mira, Sto. Niño and Tuguegarao City (pre-school to senior high school both private and public). Enrile (pre-school to senior high school in public only).
*Pangasinan – Mangaldan, Laoac, San Carlos City, Aguilar, Basista, and Bautista (pre-school to senior high school both in public and private)
*Ilocos Norte (elementary to senior high school – private and public). (PNA)