‘Julian’ maintains strength as it moves closer to Batanes

MANILA, Philippines—Typhoon Julian (international codename: Bolaven) has maintained its strength as it moved in a northwestward direction, the state weather bureau said.

As of 5 p.m. Julian was seen 1,000 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It was moving northwest at 13kph.

Moderate to heavy rains were seen within 600 km of Julian.

Meanwhile, typhoon Igme (Tembin) weakened as it moved in a west southwest direction and was seen 260 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes.

Public storm warning signal number 2 was still raised over Batanes Group of Islands, signal number 1 over Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 150 kph. It was moving slowly at 7 kph.

Heavy to intense rains were seen within 500 kilometers of the typhoon.

Both typhoon Julian and Igme were expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and would bring rains over the western section of the country.

Igme was forecast to make a counter-clockwise looping motion within the next 24-48 hours due to the pull of Julian.