Metro Manila, Philippines – Nine areas were placed under cyclone wind Signal Number 1 as Tropical Depression Julian slightly intensified, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest bulletin.
As of 5 p.m., the lowest storm alert was hoisted over a number of areas in Northern Luzon. These are:
+ Batanes
+ Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
+ Isabela
+ Apayao
+ Kalinga
+ the eastern portion of Mountain Province
+ the eastern portion of Ifugao
+ Ilocos Norte
+ the northern portion of Aurora
PAGASA said the highest storm alert that may be hoisted during the course of ‘Julian’ is Signal Number 4.
Forecasters last spotted ‘Julian’ east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gusts of up to 90 km/h.
The storm is seen to move westward on Saturday and follow a northwestward track on Sunday, Sept. 29, towards Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
The weather bureau said the storm may also strengthen into a super typhoon.
It is forecast to make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands on Monday, Sept. 30.
“This tropical cyclone will be closest to Batanes and/or Babuyan Islands at or near peak intensity,” PAGASA said.
