At least two people were reported dead while over 400 thousand families were affected as Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) tore through Luzon and parts of the Visayas, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Monday.

In a press conference at the Camp Aguinaldo, OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV confirmed the fatalities but noted that the figures were still subject to validation.

“Dalawang fatality. One is from Viga, Catanduanes due to drowning and another one from Catbalogan City, Samar na nahulugan ito ng collapsed structure (Two fatalities. One from Viga, Catanduanes due to drowning and another from Catbalogan City, Samar after being hit by a collapsed structure),” Alejandro said in a briefing.

Alejandro also reported two people injured in the aftermath of the typhoon.

He added that a total of 1.4 million individuals or 426,000 families were preemptively evacuated from 11 regions including Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Negros Island Region, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Of these, 318,000 individuals or 92,000 families remain sheltered in evacuation centers. 

The typhoon also damaged around 1,000 houses, with 996 partially damaged and 89 totally destroyed.

Widespread flooding was reported in 132 barangays, along with storm surges in coastal areas and landslides in mountainous communities.

According to Alejandro, several towns in Aurora province were isolated after Uwan made landfall there.

“Kahapon po nu’ng dumaan or nag-landfall ‘yung bagyo sa Aurora, nag-report po ang ating PDRRMO na ang mga munisipyo ng Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag sa Aurora ay na-isolate due to landslides (Yesterday when Uwan made landfall in Aurora, our PDRRMO reported that the municipalities of Dipaculao, Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag were isolated due to landslides),” he said. 

He added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been directed to work closely with local governments to fast-track clearing operations.

At least 15 road networks were reported in need of immediate repair and restoration.

Utilities, relief assistance

The storm also caused power interruptions in 155 areas and water supply issues in 13 locations.

To support affected residents, the government has provided P6.4 million worth of food items to local government units and distributed 4,776 food packs in affected regions, Alejandro said.

According to PAGASA, Uwan weakened into a typhoon early Monday as it exited the Luzon landmass.

As of 8 a.m., the typhoon’s center was located 125 km west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, moving away from the country.

Despite weakening, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Nos. 4, 3, 2, and 1 remain hoisted over several areas in Luzon and the Visayas, the weather bureau said.

Authorities continue to warn residents of possible flooding and landslides, particularly in Central and Northern Luzon, as the system still brings heavy rains across wide areas.