Manila: Super Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong, maintained its strength as it unleashed powerful winds and relentless rain over the Bicol Region late Sunday morning.
According to Philippines News Agency, Uwan is anticipated to make landfall in central Aurora late Sunday or early Monday, possibly striking at peak intensity and bringing the eyewall over Calaguas and Polillo Islands. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that at 10 a.m., the eye of Uwan was located over the coastal waters of Pandan, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph), gusts reaching 230 kph, and a central pressure of 935 hPa.
The typhoon was advancing west-northwest at 30 kph, with its typhoon-force winds extending up to 800 km from the center, affecting most of Luzon. PAGASA warned of life-threatening winds and storm surges impacting parts of Bicol and potentially devastating the eastern coast of Central Luzon.
The weather bureau issued tropical cyclone wind signals for various areas. Signal No. 5, indicating typhoon-force winds with extreme threat to life and property, was raised in central portions of Aurora, Polillo Islands, northern Camarines Norte, eastern Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. Signal No. 4, signifying a significant to severe threat, affected southern Isabela, Quirino, parts of Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, eastern Pampanga, northern and eastern Bulacan, northern and eastern Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte and Sur, and northeastern Albay. Signal No. 3, indicating a moderate to significant threat, was in effect for southern Cagayan, the remainder of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, southern Apayao, Kalinga, and several other provinces. Signal No. 2 and Signal No. 1 were also declared in other regions with varying levels of threat.
Following its path across Northern Luzon’s mountain ranges, Uwan is expected to weaken slightly but will likely retain its typhoon status as it exits through Lingayen Gulf by Monday. Forecasts predict a northward turn toward the Taiwan Strait by Tuesday, with landfall over western Taiwan anticipated by Thursday, where rapid weakening is expected.
In addition to destructive winds, PAGASA alerted communities to storm surges exceeding three meters in coastal areas, including Cagayan, Aurora, Zambales, and others, potentially flooding low-lying regions. Waves could reach 14 meters off the eastern seaboards of Luzon, and eight to 10 meters along northern coasts. Conditions are deemed ‘extremely dangerous for all vessels,’ urging mariners to remain in port or seek immediate shelter.
PAGASA also cautioned about widespread heavy rainfall, with gusty conditions extending to Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao. By Monday, strong to gale-force winds are expected across most of Luzon and the Visayas. Residents in high-risk areas are urged to heed evacuation orders and local advisories, as catastrophic conditions may occur even outside the cyclone’s forecast path.
