From DOST PAGASA

By Alexia Bangayan

Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong) has rapidly intensified in the last 24 hours over the Philippine Sea and continues to threaten Northern and Central Luzon with heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surges as it moves westward at 35 kilometers per hour (kph) on Saturday, November 8.

As of 11:00 a.m., the center of the typhoon was located 680 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts reaching 170 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that Uwan could reach the super typhoon category by tonight or tomorrow as it approaches Luzon.

Signal No. 2 was raised over 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, where gale-force winds may cause moderate damage to infrastructure, crops, and power lines.

Meanwhile, Signal No.1 was raised in Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the rest of Eastern Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, where strong winds may bring light to moderate damage to structures made of light materials.

PAGASA also issued a storm surge warning with peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters within the next 48 hours along low-lying or coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Region, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, and the Bicol Region.

Moreover, sea travel remains risky to dangerous along the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, as waves could reach up to 14 m, threatening all types of vessels.

The typhoon is expected to pass near Catanduanes by Sunday morning and may make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora by Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

Uwan is forecasted to weaken slightly after crossing Luzon due to interaction with the Sierra Madre mountain range, but will likely remain a typhoon as it exits into the West Philippine Sea by Monday afternoon.

Authorities advise the public to prepare emergency kits, secure properties, and follow evacuation orders issued by the local officials.