Super Typhoon Uwan Threatens Luzon, Bicol Under Signal No. 5 as Evacuations Mount

Super Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong, has significantly intensified, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Signal No. 5 over parts of the Bicol region. The powerful storm is now barreling towards Luzon, threatening catastrophic winds and widespread flooding, as reported by The Hindu on November 9, 2025.

PAGASA confirmed on Sunday morning, November 9, that Uwan reached super typhoon category, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 230 kph. This rapid intensification occurred as the storm moved closer to the Philippine Sea, east of the Bicol Region, according to the Manila Bulletin.

The typhoon's current trajectory indicates a high probability of a direct hit on Luzon, with potential landfall expected over Aurora or Isabela by late Sunday or early Monday morning. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as the situation remains fluid, as stated by Gulf News on November 8, 2025.

Over 100,000 residents have already been evacuated across eastern and northern regions of the Philippines in anticipation of Uwan's destructive force. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol reported on November 8 that 14,773 families, totaling 60,902 individuals, sought shelter in evacuation centers across the Bicol region alone, the Manila Bulletin noted.

Life-threatening conditions are now being experienced in Catanduanes, which is directly in the path of the super typhoon. PAGASA's latest advisories highlight extreme impacts from typhoon-force winds and a high risk of life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3.0 meters in coastal communities, as detailed by the Cebu Daily News.

President Marcos assured the public on November 8 that all government agencies are on full alert, coordinating efforts to ensure public safety. He urged citizens to follow local government unit (LGU) advice and evacuate immediately from dangerous areas, according to philstar.com.

• The Philippines, an archipelago situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, is highly susceptible to tropical cyclones, with approximately 20 entering its area of responsibility annually. Historically, regions like the Bicol Region and northern Luzon frequently experience landfalls, making them particularly vulnerable to severe weather events such as Super Typhoon Uwan. Typhoon Nina (Sisang) in 1987 and Typhoon Reming (Durian) in 2006 notably caused significant devastation in the Bicol region, as documented by Wikipedia and Tzu Chi Philippines.

• PAGASA, the national meteorological agency, utilizes a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) system to warn the public about wind threats. Signal No. 5, the highest level, indicates extreme impacts from typhoon-force winds (over 185 kph) are expected within 12 hours, necessitating immediate and widespread evacuations. This system is crucial for guiding preparedness and response efforts across affected regions, as explained by PAGASA's official guidelines.

• Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) has undergone rapid intensification, reaching Category 4 strength with sustained winds of up to 220 kph, according to the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) on November 8. While PAGASA measures winds over a 10-minute average, yielding slightly lower figures, both agencies agree on the storm's destructive potential, emphasizing the need for urgent preparedness, Gulf News reported.

• Preemptive evacuations are in full swing across the Bicol region and other threatened areas, with thousands seeking refuge in designated shelters. The Office of Civil Defense-Bicol reported on November 8 that over 60,902 individuals from 14,773 families have evacuated in Bicol, including significant numbers from Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes. Local officials, such as Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco of Guinobatan, Albay, confirmed early evacuations in high-risk areas prone to lahar flow, flooding, and landslides, the Manila Bulletin stated.

• The economic and social implications of Super Typhoon Uwan are substantial, particularly for Luzon, the Philippines' primary economic and tourism hub. The impending storm threatens widespread disruption to infrastructure, including transportation networks, and could lead to significant economic losses for tourism-dependent regions. Environmental degradation from severe storms also impacts natural attractions, posing long-term recovery challenges, according to an analysis by vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com.

• Government agencies are coordinating a comprehensive response, including the pre-positioning of rescue vehicles, relief goods, and medical teams. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned over 2 million family food packs and non-food items, supported by substantial standby funds, as reported by inquirer.net on November 7. The Armed Forces' Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has also activated its disaster response units, philstar.com confirmed.

• Beyond the immediate impact, PAGASA warns of a high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surges exceeding 3.0 meters in low-lying coastal communities across numerous provinces, including Cagayan, Isabela, and Metro Manila. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has also issued warnings for possible lahar flows from volcanoes like Mayon, especially in the Bicol region, as noted by Cebu Daily News.