Preemptive evacuations urged as Typhoon #UwanPH approaches

At least 8.4 million individuals across multiple regions could be affected as Typhoon “Uwan” barrels toward Northern Luzon, with the potential to intensify into a super typhoon, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). 

The authorities’ warning comes as the Visayas and parts of Mindanao continue to recover from the devastation caused by Typhoon “Tino,” which has claimed 204 lives while 109 remain missing. 

During a press briefing hosted by the OCD, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that predictive analytics as of Saturday indicate Uwan could impact 8.4 million individuals across the following regions: Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Calabarzon (Region 4A), and Bicol (Region 5). 

The typhoon’s extensive rainbands may also affect Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas, areas still reeling from Tino’s impact.

Of those potentially affected, 5.7 million live in coastal communities, with around 466,000 poor families among the most vulnerable, particularly in CAR, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley.

OCD Deputy Administrator Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro said a red alert status has been raised nationwide, mobilizing all regional and local disaster units in preparation for Uwan’s possible landfall.

“We have been preparing for Uwan for the past several days, as it could become a super typhoon per PAGASA’s forecast. We are preparing basically the entire Northern Luzon island and Visayas for the possible impact,” Alejandro said. 

“We’re urging local government units to enforce pre-emptive and even forced evacuations until Sunday, especially in flood- and landslide-prone communities,” he added. 

Alejandro likewise warned that Uwan’s massive size, with a radius of 700 kilometers and a diameter of 1,400 kilometers, could bring heavy rainfall and destructive winds across areas from Batanes to Bohol.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has identified 8,164 barangays at risk of rain-induced landslides and floods. 

Saturated soils from Tino’s recent rains have increased vulnerability, particularly in Southern Leyte, Quezon, Sorsogon, Cebu, Capiz, Palawan, and Surigao. 

The MGB cautioned residents not to return home without local government clearance, noting that landslides can occur even after rains have stopped.

As disaster teams brace for Uwan, recovery operations continue in Tino-hit areas. Of the 204 fatalities, Cebu recorded 141 deaths, Negros Occidental 27, Negros Oriental 20, Agusan del Sur six, and Capiz three. 

Southern Leyte reported two deaths, while Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Bohol, and Leyte each reported one.

While 109 people remain missing: 57 in Cebu, 42 in Negros Occidental, and 10 in Negros Oriental. Meanwhile, 156 individuals were injured across Cebu, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

At least 823,977 families or 2.9 million individuals were affected in 6,720 barangays across eight regions. Infrastructure damage includes 118 road sections, 14 bridges, power outages in 162 towns and cities, loss of water supply in 11 municipalities, and communication interruptions in 86 localities.

Tino also caused damage to 29,949 houses, P40.7 million in agricultural losses, and P17.25 million in infrastructure damage. Government assistance has reached P198 million, benefiting 133,170 families, or roughly one-third of those in need.

OCD teams continue rapid assessments in the Visayas, while Administrator Usec. Harold Cabreros is in Cebu overseeing relief operations. 

Alejandro stressed the urgency of preparing for Uwan, saying that durable evacuation centers are being fast-tracked for those who lost their homes and warned residents not to return to damaged houses as the storm approaches.