Manila: Severe Tropical Storm Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong, has continued to weaken while moving north-northeast toward Taiwan, according to a statement from the weather bureau on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported in its 5 p.m. bulletin that the center of Uwan was located 340 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 125 kilometers per hour. It is moving north-northeast at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, with strong to storm-force winds extending up to 540 kilometers from the center.
Signal No. 1 remains in effect for Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and various parts of Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. These areas might experience winds ranging from 39 to 61 kilometers per hour within the next 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.
Local winds may intensify in coastal and upland regions, while gusty conditions are expected across most of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Northern Samar. By Wednesday, the Ilocos and Cordillera regions, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Quezon, and Aurora might experience gusty winds.
A gale warning has been issued for the northern and western seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, where very rough to high seas up to 7 meters are anticipated along the western coasts of the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Norte. Uwan, currently outside the PAR, is forecast to recurve north on Tuesday before turning northeast toward Taiwan by Tuesday night. The storm is expected to re-enter the PAR on Wednesday as it makes landfall over the southwestern coast of Taiwan. It is predicted to emerge near the Ryukyu Islands by Thursday, weakening further into a remnant low by Friday due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
