Manila: Severe Tropical Storm Fung-Wong, locally named Uwan, has intensified over the Philippine Sea and is approaching the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the weather bureau reported on Friday. Uwan is currently located 1,175 km east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds reaching 110 km per hour (kph) near its center and gustiness up to 135 kph, moving westward at 25 kph.

According to Philippines News Agency, strong to storm-force winds are extending outward up to 780 km from the center of Uwan. The storm is anticipated to enter the PAR on Friday night or early Saturday, continuing its westward path before shifting west-northwestward. It is expected to potentially make landfall over the southern portion of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora late Sunday or early Monday. Forecasts indicate that Uwan could intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours, with the possibility of reaching super typhoon status by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over various areas including the southeastern portion of Quezon, eastern Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate. In the Visayas, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, parts of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, northeastern Bohol, northern Negros Occidental, and portions of Capiz and Iloilo are under Signal No. 1. In Mindanao, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte are affected.

Regions under TCWS No. 1 are expected to experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph within 36 hours. The highest possible wind signal during Uwan's passage could be No. 5. The storm is also predicted to bring gusty conditions with strong to gale-force winds over Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao over the weekend.

There is a risk of life-threatening storm surge and coastal flooding along the east coast of central and southern Luzon and parts of northern Luzon. Storm surge warnings might be issued by Friday night or Saturday. Additionally, a gale warning is expected for the eastern seaboards of Luzon, Visayas, and the Caraga Region, with sea conditions reaching up to 5 meters, making sea travel hazardous for all types of vessels.

After crossing northern Luzon, Uwan is projected to weaken but remain a typhoon as it moves into the West Philippine Sea by Monday.