MANILA: Uwan (Fung-wong) intensified into a super typhoon on Sunday morning (Nov 9), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced.
Uwan is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph), with gusts of up to 230 kph, the state weather bureau said.
Pagasa added that the super typhoon was last located 125 kilometres east-northeast of Virac Catanduanes, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.
Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 5 in the following areas, warning of extreme life-threatening conditions due to typhoon-force winds or wind speeds of 185 kph or higher in the next twelve hours: Polillo Islands, Northern portion of Camarines Norte (Daet, Talisay, Paracale, Vinzons, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes, Basud), Eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Tinambac, Lagonoy) and Catanduanes.
Meanwhile, Signal no. 4 or significant to severe threat to life and property due to wind speeds of 118 to 184 kph is forecast in: eastern portion of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Calauag, Guinayangan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon), the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur and the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi, Polangui)
Pagasa also issued TCWS for Luzon and Visayas. It warned that a storm surge with a height of over three metres is possible in different coastal areas within the Bicol Region and other towns in Luzon.
Pagasa, in its sixth storm surge update, said that the Bicol Region provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon, along with Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, La Union, Pangasinan, and Quezon are under a red storm surge warning. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
