Typhoon “Leon” made landfall over southeastern Taiwan on Thursday afternoon, according to the 5 p.m. bulletin of state weather bureau PAGASA.
The center of its eye was estimated at 320 kilometers north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.
“Leon” was moving northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 255 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised over the northern portion of Batanes (Itbayat).
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Santa Ana), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Bangui, Burgos, Dumalneg, Adams, Pagudpud).
After crossing the landmass of Taiwan, the typhoon will then turn northeastward over the Taiwan Strait toward the East China Sea and exit the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday night or Friday early morning.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the government has allocated almost P900 million in government aid to those affected by “Kristine” and “Leon.”
Totaling P895.658 million, the aid includes food, water, and medical supplies distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local government units, and non-governmental organizations.
President Ferdinand Marcos directed the OCD to maintain continuous supply distributions to meet immediate needs and prevent disease outbreaks.
As of Thursday morning, the NDRRMC reported that 1.89 million families—or roughly 7.5 million individuals—have been affected, with over 173,000 displaced families.
Tropical cyclone-related damages amount to P2.9 billion in agriculture and P6.39 billion in infrastructure across multiple regions, while 213 areas remain flooded, with 211 local governments declaring a state of calamity.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public on Thursday that the rice supply remains stable despite the impact of typhoons. DA Disaster Management Director Lorna Calda stated that National Food Authority stocks are ample, and the DA has distributed 1,447 rice bags to affected regions across the country.
To support recovery, the DA has allocated P1 billion from its quick response fund and P541 million in agricultural resources for distribution. Farmers can also access zero-interest loans of up to P25,000.
Camarines Sur (CamSur) Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Thursday urged the creation of a multiyear P20-billion fund for the rehabilitation of the typhoon-devastated region.
With the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) of P6.352 trillion already passed by the House of Representatives, Villafuerte expressed hope that “senators could realign funds or find new fund sources for this proposed BRRF once they take up the House-approved national budget bill when the 19th Congress reopens next week.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “‘Leon’ reaches Taiwan but Signal No. 2 remains in north Batanes.”
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