The Philippines is preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Uwan, with the international name Fung-wong, even as parts of the country continue to recover from the deadly aftermath of Typhoon Tino, which has left at least 188 people dead across several provinces.
Uwan is currently classified as a severe tropical storm and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The storm is projected to intensify rapidly once inside PAR and may reach super typhoon status by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
PAGASA said Uwan may be as strong as Typhoon Pepito, which stayed within PAR for three days and 15 hours with winds as fast as 195 km/hr, devastating parts of Central and Northern Luzon in November 2024, leaving behind P266M in agricultural damages. The same regions are currently being monitored as the likely areas where Uwan could make its first landfall.
The arrival of Uwan comes as emergency teams continue response operations for Typhoon Tino. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that Cebu recorded the highest number of fatalities with 139. Negros Occidental reported 24 deaths, followed by nine in Negros Oriental, six in Agusan del Sur, three in Capiz, two in Southern Leyte, and one death each in Antique, Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, and Guimaras.
Preparing for the Storm
NDRRMC has advised citizens, especially those in Luzon, to start coordinating with their local government units to prepare for the coming typhoon. At a press briefing on Friday, the agency also reminded the public of the following:
- Watch news reports and monitor updates from PAGASA
- Create a community or family plan for emergencies
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Go to the designated evacuation center
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have been ordered to deploy buses, trucks, and vessels to assist in immediate evacuations and the distribution of relief goods. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also begun preparing family food packs at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center ahead of Uwan’s expected landfall.
