CAGAYAN de Oro local disaster management officials declare that barangay rescue teams and systems are prepared as the country awaits the entry of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Uwan’ (international name: Fung-Wong) into the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) Head Nick Jabagat told Gold Star Daily tonight, Nov. 7, that local units are on high alert.

“We are continually monitoring any weather changes,” Jabagat said, confirming their state of readiness.

He added: “Rescue teams in every barangay are on alert, and disaster management systems are in place.”

SEVERE STORM. Visible infrared satellite imagery shows Severe Tropical Storm Fung-Wong (locally named Uwan) churning over the Philippine Sea, east of the Philippines as of 8 pm, Nov. 7. The cyclone’s powerful, rotating cloud bands are clearly visible as it approaches the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Satellite photo courtesy of DOST-Pagasa

Severe tropical storm forecast

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) forecasts that Uwan will move generally westward in the next 24 hours, then west-northwestward for most of the forecast period.

It is expected to enter the PAR late this evening or early tomorrow morning, Nov. 8.

The storm is then forecast to make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, Nov. 10.

Following landfall, the tropical storm will traverse the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea on Monday morning or afternoon.

The strong winds currently felt in some areas are not directly caused by Uwan but are attributed by Pagasa to other weather systems, including localized thunderstorms.