Manila: Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong, continues to rapidly intensify as it approaches the Philippine Sea, east of the Bicol Region, the national weather bureau announced. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of 5 p.m., the typhoon’s center was positioned 575 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, or 620 km east of Virac, Catanduanes. It is moving west-northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has been issued for Catanduanes; the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, including municipalities such as Siruma and Tinambac; the eastern portion of Albay, covering areas like Tiwi and Santo Domingo; the northeastern portion of Sorsogon, specifically Prieto Diaz; and the northeastern part of Northern Samar, including Palapag and Mapanas.
Signal No. 2 is now in effect for the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, and several other regions in Luzon, as well as parts of the Visayas, such as the rest of Northern Samar and the northern and central portions of Samar. Meanwhile, Batanes and several other regions are under Signal No. 1, including areas in the Visayas and Mindanao like Samar, Leyte, and parts of Negros Occidental.
Typhoon Uwan is expected to continue its west northwestward path over the weekend, nearing Catanduanes by Sunday morning. The current forecast suggests a potential landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora by Sunday evening or early Monday morning. After making landfall, Uwan is projected to traverse Northern Luzon’s mountainous terrain and may emerge over Lingayen Gulf or the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union by Monday.
Though Uwan is poised to intensify rapidly and potentially reach super typhoon status, its interaction with Luzon’s terrain is likely to weaken it, albeit it is expected to remain classified as a typhoon during its passage over the region.
