Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is keeping a close watch on the incoming tropical storm, which the state weather bureau said has the potential to become a super typhoon. In a radio interview on Thursday, OCD deputy administrator for administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV emphasized that the storm’s rainband is so wide that it affects the entire Luzon and could submerge flood-prone areas.

According to Philippines News Agency, Alejandro mentioned that the storm is expected to hit the Aurora-Tuguegarao, Cagayan area, but the rainband could bring rain to the entire Luzon. He stressed the importance of monitoring the rainband constantly so that local government units prone to floods, especially in Southern and Northern Luzon, can be warned in advance.

Alejandro noted that based on their analysis, warnings and preparatory instructions have already been issued to all local government units that are in the storm’s path, particularly in Northern, Central, and up to the Bicol region.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the storm, internationally named Fung-Wong, will be called Uwan once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility. On its current path, Fung-Wong is expected to enter the PAR by late Friday night or early Saturday morning. PAGASA added that the cyclone could rapidly intensify into a typhoon by Friday and potentially reach the super typhoon category by Saturday.

PAGASA also indicated an increasing likelihood that Fung-Wong could make landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Monday, possibly at or near its peak intensity.