By Brian Campued
The tropical cyclone being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) further intensified and is now a severe tropical storm, the state weather bureau said.
As of 10:00 a.m. this Friday, Severe Tropical Storm Fung-Wong was located 1,315 km east of Eastern Visayas and is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph. Fung-Wong now packs maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the tropical cyclone is forecast to enter the PAR between late Friday evening and early Saturday morning (Nov. 8)—and will be assigned the local name “Uwan”.
While over the Philippine Sea, Uwan is seen to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category in the next 24 hours. It will reach super typhoon strength by Saturday evening or Sunday morning (Nov. 9).
Uwan is forecast to make a close approach over Samar and Bicol on Sunday morning and make landfall at or near peak intensity over Aurora late Sunday evening.
“We have to emphasize na ito po ay napalaking bagyo, so ibig sabihin, as early as Saturday mararamdaman na po ‘yung pagbugso ng hangin sa Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and even yung mga nearby areas na Caraga, Central Visayas, at bahagi ng MIMAROPA and CALABARZON,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.
PAGASA said it may raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) over portions of southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga within the day in anticipation of Uwan’s wind threat—with Wind Signal No. 5 the highest possible TCWS to be hoisted.
State meteorologists likewise warned of potentially life-threatening stormy conditions over northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 11) due to Uwan.
Torrential rains may also be experienced over Catanduanes starting Saturday noon until Sunday noon, and heavy to intense rains over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.
Moderate to heavy rains are forecast over Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Masbate, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Cagayan during the same period.
Between Sunday noon and Monday noon, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan will experience intense to torrential rains.
Heavy to intense rains will drench Metro Manila, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan, while moderate to heavy rains will persist over Batanes, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Aklan, Antique, and Northern Samar.
Residents in high-risk areas are warned of widespread flooding and landslides.
Coastal flooding is also forecast due to potential storm surge in low-lying areas of northern Luzon and the east coast of Central and southern Luzon.
Mariners are strongly urged to avoid sailing as moderate to rough seas may begin over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao this Friday or Saturday.
“[The] western and southern seaboards of Luzon may reach moderate to rough sea conditions by tomorrow or on Sunday. Hazardous sea conditions (reaching very rough, high, very high, or phenomenal seas) may affect most of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao from Sunday onwards,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando urged the public to continue monitoring updates related to Uwan and heed the advice of local authorities for preemptive evacuation and other preparedness measures.
“Uwan is likely to bring destructive winds, intense to torrential rains, and dangerous storm surges—conditions that can lead to widespread flooding, landslides, and severe coastal inundations in vulnerable areas,” Servando said.
“We cannot emphasize enough—now is the time to prepare. Everyone is advised to take proactive measures.”
-jpv
