By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the further intensification of Typhoon Uwan as it continues to move over the Philippine Sea, according to the agency’s 11:00 a.m. bulletin.
Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) was last located 760 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, as it moves westward at 35 kph.
PAGASA noted the 780 km radius of the storm, with its rain bands expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds across most of the country.
The state weather bureau also raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 in Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao Islands, Northern Samar, the northern portion of Samar, and the northern portion of Eastern Samar.
Wind Signal No. 1 is also hoisted in the following provinces in Luzon: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Masbate (including Burias Island), Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro (including Lubang Islands), Calamian Islands, and Cuyo Islands.
Wind Signal no. 1 also prevails over the following provinces in Visayas and Mindanao: the rest of Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northeastern portion of Bohol, the northern and central portions of Cebu (including Bantayan and Camotes Islands), the northern portion of Negros Occidental, the northern and central portions of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, the northern and central portions of Antique (including Caluya Islands), Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte.
PAGASA also issued a gale warning advisory over various seaboards in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, noting risky travel for all types of vessels due to very rough seas and high waves in these coastal waters:
- 3.1 to 6 meter-high waves: Catanduanes, eastern coast of Albay, eastern coast of Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar
- 2.8 to 5 meter-high waves: Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Aurora, northern and eastern coasts of Quezon (including Polillo Islands), Camarines Norte, northern coast of Camarines Sur, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands
The state weather bureau meanwhile warned of storm surge in several coastal communities, which may bring up to 3-meter high surges in eastern Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, eastern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Eastern Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, eastern Albay, eastern Sorsogon, and Northern Pangasinan.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja moreover warned of the possible raising of Wind Signal No. 5 in select areas as the worst case scenario of Typhoon Uwan’s impact, with winds of up to 185 kph expected to sweep across areas placed under this warning.
“Posibleng magkaroon ng severe damage for light material structures, possible din po na makapagpatumba ng puno at [mga] poste ng kuryente. Possible din po na maapektuhan ang ating supply ng tubig at linya ng komunikasyon.”
The state meteorologist moreover clarified that areas previously affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Tino will not be directly affected by the strong winds and heavy downpour that Typhoon Uwan is expected to bring.
Estareja explained, “Within the next 24 hours, itong mga nadaanan po o naapektuhan directly ng Bagyong Tino, itong Eastern Visayas [and] some portions of Masbate, mayroon po tayong mararamdamang malalakas na mga pag-ulan lalo na sa may Samar Island.”
He added, noting Wind Signals no. 1 and 2 currently hoisted in some provinces as the worst case scenario for the entire Visayas, “Itong areas sa Northern Cebu, Northern Negros, and Northern Panay, itong directly naapektuhan ni Bagyong Tino—hanggang sa araw ng Lunes, pabugso-bugso po yung hangin at may pa-minsan minsang malakas na ulan.”
Uwan is expected to further intensify over the next 24 hours, possibly reaching supertyphoon category on Saturday night or Sunday morning as it makes a close approach in Northern Samar and Bicol region prior to making landfall over the Aurora-Isabela area on Sunday, eventually traversing North and Central Luzon. (with report from Harley Valbuena | PTV News)
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