No casualties, but 77,000 affected by super typhoon

Super Typhoon Julian spawned heavy rains, widespread flooding and landslides in various parts of Northern Luzon, affecting over 77,000 people, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

While there have been no reported deaths so far according to the NDRRMC's data, the Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that a man identified as Benjie Castrence, 25, was electrocuted after he was hit by a fallen electrical wire while on his way home aboard a motorcycle in Barangay Tangatan, Sta. Ana town on Monday.

The NDRRMC reported that 22,645 families or 77,249 people were affected by Julian, while 254 families or 762 people had to be evacuated and housed in 38 different evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC said the Ilocos Region was most affected with 13,105 families or 44,521 people affected from 154 different barangays.

Some 9,185 families or 31,679 people were also affected in 63 different barangays in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Also affected were 355 families or 1,049 people from 35 different barangays in Cagayan Valley.

In its report yesterday, the NDRRMC added that at least 38 houses were reported damaged in various parts of the Ilocos Region and CAR alone.

Information on estimated damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the typhoon-affected areas has yet to be released.

Julian re-entering

PAR Super Typhoon Julian will re-enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) today after a brief exit and will continue to bring rains in areas in northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said heavy to intense rains are still forecast over Batanes and Babuyan Islands even as Julian moves towards Taiwan.