Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has urged all local government units in provinces expected to bear the brunt of Typhoon Uwan to finish their preemptive evacuation as soon as possible or by Sunday morning at the latest.
According to Philippines News Agency, OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV reported that several areas, including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte, have started moving residents to safer grounds. Areas under Signal No. 1 should have started preparing for preemptive evacuations. Alejandro emphasized the urgency, stating, “Our appeal is to finish them before Sunday afternoon. Evacuations should not be conducted when there’s already heavy rain or strong winds. It has to be done by Sunday morning at the latest.”
In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Typhoon Uwan is forecast to rapidly intensify and may reach super typhoon category tonight or Sunday. While interaction with the terrain will cause the typhoon to weaken significantly, PAGASA said it will likely remain as a typhoon throughout its passage over Northern Luzon. “Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” it said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3, which carries a warning of storm-force winds, was raised in several areas, including parts of Luzon and the Visayas. Areas under Signal No. 2 are also expected to experience gale-force winds, prompting further precautionary measures. Meanwhile, regions under Signal No. 1, spanning Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, were reminded to take precautions against strong winds of at least 39 to 61 kilometers per hour.
