The Office of the Philippine Civil Defense (OCD) called on people to cooperate with evacuation measures as Typhoon Fung-wong (Philippine name Uwan) is forecast to directly affect 54 provinces, including the capital Manila, in the coming days.
OCD Deputy Director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV warned that Uwan could bring widespread heavy rains and strong winds from north to south, including areas in Region I in Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Visayas (Western, Eastern and Central) and the Caraga region in Mindanao.
This storm brings a lot of rain. We want people to be prepared and call on local leaders to take pioneering action. instruct the community and arrange safe areas and evacuation centers to ensure everyone's safety, Alejandro said.
Even areas that are only at alert level 1 should start preparing to evacuate from high-risk locations, Alejandro stressed.
According to the OCD, more than 60 million people across the country could be affected by Typhoon Uwan. Some low-lying areas, prone to flooding, have begun to be evacuated early.
Meanwhile, the Department of Mines and Geology under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-MGB) estimates that 17,131 residential areas are at high risk of flooding and landslides due to the strong intensity of the storm.
People living near the river are being asked to clear obstacles, while households in areas at risk of landslides are advised not to return home until the authorities confirm safety.
Philippine authorities also strongly urged people in low-lying areas, coastal areas and areas prone to landslides to evacuate early, prioritizing the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children.
Accordingly, more than 100,000 residents in eastern and northern areas were evacuated as Typhoon Fung-wong strengthened into a super typhoon on November 9, before making landfall during the day, threatening to bring showers, strong winds and large waves.
With sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts of up to 230 km/h, super typhoon Fung-wong is expected to make landfall in Aurora province, central Luzon (Philippines), as early as the night of November 9 (local time).
