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Typhoon Juan continues to intensify, increases threats to Northern Luzon Typhoon Juan (International Name: Megi) continues to intensify, increasing its threat to Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on its weather bulletin issued at 5:00 pm today. Typhoon Juan is now located 390 kilometer east of Aparri, Cagayan with a maximum winds of 225 kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 260 kilometer per hour. Signal number 4 is now raised in Cagayan and Isabela; signal number 3 in Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Quirino and Northern Aurora; signal number 2 in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and rest of Aurora; while signal number 1 was raised in Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija and Polillo Island. In response to the possible threat of typhoon Juan in the next few hours, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon enjoined Red Cross chapters and subchapters nationwide to be at high alert, 24/7. "We enjoin staff and volunteers of Red Cross chapters to be alert 24 hours a day and continue to monitor their respective areas. We should always be prepared to act immediately on any untoward incident," said Gordon. Red Cross 143 volunteers in all chapters are advised to be on standby as well as to monitor weather disturbances and coordinate with the national headquarters for any incident. Likewise, Gordon said that rescue equipment, rubber boats, generator sets, fuel and vehicles shall be on stand by for possible operation or deployment. "Let us all continue to monitor, coordinate and report status of evacuees, overflow of dams, landslides, floods and general weather conditions to the PRC National Headquarters Operation Center," said Gordon. |