Brace for possible Super Typhoon ‘Uwan’ affecting 8.4-M people

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday urged the public to prepare for the possible onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan, a massive weather system with a diameter of 1,400 kilometers that could affect areas from Batanes to Bohol this weekend.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Deputy Administrator for Administration, said the agency is closely monitoring the typhoon, which could bring widespread heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges across Luzon and parts of the Visayas.

Alejandro said the areas of concern are mainly in Northern Luzon, including Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region.

“This typhoon is extremely large and may even reach Regions 6, Negros Island Region, 7, and 8. We are preparing basically the entire Luzon and Visayas for the possible impact of Uwan,” he added.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier reported that Tropical Cyclone Fung-wong has intensified further as it approached the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning.

It is expected to enter the PAR late Friday or early Saturday, where it will be given the local name Uwan.

According to PAGASA, Uwan may reach super typhoon strength by late Saturday or early Sunday while moving off the Bicol Region.

Widespread threats expected

Alejandro warned residents in low-lying and coastal communities to evacuate immediately, citing the risk of storm surges, landslides, and flash floods.

“We are urging everyone, including our local government units, to implement preemptive or preparatory activities in preparation for the possible impact of Uwan,” he said.

“This severe weather will bring widespread impact or effect in the areas it will pass through and those covered by its rainbands,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) identified 8,164 barangays nationwide as vulnerable to rain-induced landslides and flooding.

These include 196 barangays in Ilocos Region, 1,944 in Cagayan Valley, 111 in Central Luzon, 1,523 in Calabarzon, 58 in Mimaropa, and 486 in Eastern Visayas.

Dr. Karlo Queano, Chief of the Lands Geological Survey Division of the DENR-MGB, cautioned residents against returning to their homes too soon after evacuating.

“Ang ating mga kababayan hindi dapat basta-basta lumilipat sa kanyang tirahan, lalo sa mga nag-evacuate dahil hangga’t mayroong tayong saturation ng ground, may possibility na magkaroon ng landslide sa kanilang lugar, lalo na dapat nating alamin na ang landslide does not happen instantaneously o basta-basta (Our fellow citizens should not immediately return to their homes, especially those who have evacuated, because as long as the ground remains saturated, there is a possibility of landslides in their area. We must also understand that a landslide does not happen instantly or suddenly),” he said.

Queano urged the affected resident to wait for advice from the LGUs before returning to their respective homes.

In the same briefing, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) estimated that around 8.4 million people may be affected by the super typhoon’s impact.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla said the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) could see around 1.4 million individuals, followed by Region 1 (Ilocos region) with 3.5 million, and Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with 2.03 million potentially affected residents.

Central Luzon, along with Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol Region, is also projected to experience severe weather effects based on the agency’s predictive analytics.

“With an estimated potential affected population of 1.3 million individuals. Based on our predictive analytics, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Region 5 will also be affected,” he said.

To support the impending disaster response, the DSWD said it has prepositioned 2.04 million family food packs, 314,000 non-food items, and 91,000 ready-to-eat meals across its regional warehouses.

The agency also maintains P2.7 billion in standby funds and stockpiles nationwide.

The OCD, DSWD, and local government units have activated their disaster response clusters and are coordinating with the military, police, and other agencies to prepare for search, rescue, and relief operations.

As Uwan continues to strengthen over the Philippine Sea, authorities are urging the public to monitor official advisories, avoid coastal areas, and follow evacuation orders from local officials.