OCD: Brace for 1,000-kilometer wide cyclone this weekend

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) advised the public Thursday to prepare itself for a possible super typhoon that is a thousand-kilometer wide that will reach Luzon by this weekend.

“Maliban sa ating pagharap sa epekto ng Bagyong Tino, tayo rin ay naghahanda sa paparating pa na isang malakas na bagyo,” OCD said in a statement. 

(Aside from dealing with the effects of Typhoon Tino, we are also preparing for another strong typhoon that is approaching.) 

“Tatahakin nito ang Northern at Central Luzon, pero sa lawak nitong mahigit isanlibong kilometro, dapat ding maghanda ang Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, at iba pang mga rehiyon sa ating bansa.” 

(It will traverse Northern and Central Luzon, but with its width of over a thousand kilometers, Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, and other regions in our country should also prepare.)

According to the 11 p.m. forecast of PAGASA, Tropical Storm “Fung Wong” slightly intensified as it continues to move northwestward. 

The center of the tropical storm was monitored outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) or 1,550 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao. It also has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kilometers per hour. 

The tropical storm will be given the local name “Uwan” once it enters PAR late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, said PAGASA. 

The tropical cyclone will be given the local name “Uwan” once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, said PAGASA. 

The state weather bureau said that “Uwan” may reach typhoon category on Friday and super typhoon status on Saturday. It is forecast to make landfall over northern or central Luzon. 

“Alinsunod sa aming mandato at sa bilin ng ating Pangulo at ni NDRRMC chairperson and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., patuloy nating paiigtingin ang mga paghahanda para sa parating na bagyo, kasabay ng ating nagpapatuloy na response operations para sa ating mga kababayanga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Tino,” it added. 

(In accordance with our mandate and the instruction of our President and NDRRMC chairperson and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., we will continue to intensify preparations for the approaching typhoon, alongside our ongoing response operations for our countrymen affected by Typhoon Tino.) 

“May dalawang araw na lang tayo para sa paghahanda, dahil simula Sabado at Linggo mararanasan na ang masamang panahon dulot ng Bagyon Uwan,” the OCD said. 

(We only have two days left for preparation, because starting Saturday and Sunday, the bad weather brought by Typhoon Uwan will be experienced.)  —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News