A total of 211 families, equivalent to 616 individuals, have been evacuated in Cagayan province due to the imminent threat posed by Typhoon Julian.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), as of 11 PM last night, preemptive evacuations were carried out in several towns.
These included Sta. Praxedes (19 families, 51 individuals), Gattaran (25 families, 58 individuals), Pamplona (2 families, 6 individuals), Gonzaga (15 families, 47 individuals), and Calayan Island (150 families, 454 individuals).
The PDRRMC reported that evacuees were taken to evacuation centers, barangay halls, churches, schools, and in some cases, stayed with neighbors who had sturdier homes.
Most of the evacuees lived in low-lying areas near rivers and coastal regions vulnerable to flooding or in homes made of light materials, which are at risk due to the heavy rains and strong winds brought by the typhoon.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 2 had earlier ordered local governments to conduct preemptive evacuations due to the potential risks of flooding and landslides caused by the rains accompanying Typhoon Julian.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Babuyan Claro Barangay Captain Annaliza Nunez stated that they are closely monitoring residents in critical areas and are prepared to implement forced evacuations if the storm intensifies.
Meanwhile, 31 individuals were evacuated in Basco due to the ongoing threat of the typhoon.
According to the Emergency Operations Center of the Basco local government unit (LGU), preemptive evacuations were conducted yesterday in Barangay San Antonio and Barangay Kaychanarianan.
The LGU’s evacuation center, which can accommodate 21 evacuees, is already full, so the remaining 10 evacuees are now under the care of the PDRRMO.
The LGU’s Emergency Operations Center, along with barangay officials, remains on 24/7 standby to respond promptly to any additional residents who may need to be evacuated.
In the meantime, classes have been suspended in all levels in the towns of Abulug, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Calayan, Gattaran, Iguig, Lal-lo, Sta. Praxedes, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City.
Classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 are also suspended in Allacapan, Alcala, Claveria, Enrile, Pamplona, Penablanca, Piat, Sanchez Mira, and Sto. Nino.
Additionally, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco issued a directive canceling classes and government office operations from September 30 to October 1, based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.