Typhoon Uwan: 17,000 at-risk barangays told to launch preemptive evacuations

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday urged more than 17,000 barangays nationwide that are identified as at risk of flooding and landslides to take immediate precautionary measures as Typhoon Uwan continues to intensify while approaching Luzon.

The DILG advisory follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for local governments to strengthen disaster preparedness ahead of the typhoon’s expected landfall.

The identified barangays are those listed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to be "moderately to highly susceptible" to floods and rain-induced landslides as these areas are seen to bear the brunt of Typhoon Uwan's passage from November 8 to 11.

In a statement, the agency instructed local government units to closely monitor river systems and implement preemptive evacuations, particularly in communities near riverbanks, low-lying areas, and slopes.

Residents in landslide-prone zones have been advised to evacuate at once they spot signs of ground movement, such as cracks or tilting posts.

Fishers in coastal barangays are also told to suspend fishing and boating activities, with storm surges exceeding three meters possible along the country's eastern seaboards.

Local disaster risk reduction and management councils were directed to oversee evacuations and coordinate with disaster offices for continuous monitoring of PAGASA bulletins.

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, children, and residents in earthquake-affected areas with possible sinkhole risks will be prioritized for early evacuation, the DILG said.

In a separate statement, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. advised the public to follow advisories and instructions from local governments as he called for preemptive evacuations. 

“Ito po ay kinakailangan nating gawin dahil kapag umuulan na or tumama na ang bagyo at naguumpisa na ang baha, mahirap na po sumagip ng tao,” he said.

(We need to do this because once it rains or the storm hits and the floods begin, it’s hard to rescue people.)

Teodoro also urged the people to avoid unnecessary travel while the typhoon is in the country.

“Dapat [ang mga kalye at pier] ay libre upang magamit ito sa priority ng paghahatid ng kinakailangan ng ikaliligtas ng ating mga kababayan. Iwasan na po natin ang pagbibiyahe, ang biyahe nalang po ay dapat ayon sa tugon ng ating mga local officials papunta sa mga lilikasan na lugar,” he said.

([Roads and piers] must be free so that it can be used to prioritize handing out the needed assistance for the safety of the public. We must avoid traveling, and traveling must be reserved for following instructions of local officials to move to a safer evacuation area.) —with Jiselle Anne Casucian/MCG/VBL, GMA Integrated News