By Brian Campued
After barreling Luzon on Sunday and Monday, Tropical Cyclone Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) continues to weaken and is now a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Uwan was last located 370 km west-northwest of Calayan, Cagayan outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). It is moving slowly north-northwestward at 10 kph with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Gale-force winds may still be experienced in Batanes and the western portion of Ilocos Norte (Sarrat, Paoay, Bangui, Burgos, Bacarra, Currimao, Pasuquin, San Nicolas, Laoag City) within 24 hours as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is still in effect.
Wind Signal No. 1 also remains hoisted in the rest of northern Luzon, with the threat of strong winds still likely within 36 hours:
- Northern and central portions of Cagayan (Piat, Santo Niño, Camalaniugan, Tuao, Lal-Lo, Pamplona, Gonzaga, Alcala, Amulung, Santa Teresita, Buguey, Solana, Rizal, Santa Ana, Claveria, Gattaran, Iguig, Lasam, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Allacapan, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Baggao) including Babuyan Islands
- Apayao
- Abra
- Kalinga
- Western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Bauko, Sadanga, Bontoc, Sabangan)
- Northwestern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Kibungan, Kapangan, Mankayan)
- Rest of Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Northern and central portions of La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan)
- Western portion of Pangasinan (Bani, Bolinao, Anda, Agno)
Occasional gusty conditions may likewise still be felt in areas not under Wind Signals, especially in most of Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and Northern Samar on Tuesday.
The state weather bureau said that Uwan will still bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet until Wednesday noon (Nov. 12).
Gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of northern Luzon and the western seaboards of Central Luzon and southern Luzon.
PAGASA said Uwan would continue to move northward on Tuesday before turning northeast and re-entering the PAR on Wednesday evening as it approaches southwestern Taiwan, where it is expected to make landfall.
-jpv
