The state weather agency PAGASA has warned of potentially life-threatening storm surges along the eastern coastline of the Philippines as Tropical Cyclone Uwan moves closer to the country.

Earlier, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over several areas as precautionary measures were being taken ahead of Uwan’s expected impact.

The cyclone currently packs maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts of up to 135 kph, and is tracking westward at 25 kph.

PAGASA forecasts that Uwan could intensify rapidly into a super typhoon by late Saturday or early Sunday.

Under PAGASA’s revised tropical cyclone warning system, areas placed under the highest alert level, Signal No. 5, may experience winds of 185 km/h or greater within 12 hours.