THOUSANDS FLEE FROM ‘UWAN’ IN BICOL, AURORA

THOUSANDS of families in Bicol and Aurora have left their homes to safer grounds starting Saturday as typhoon “Uwan” (international name: Fung-Wong)  threatens Philippines.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol, 14,773 families or 60,902 individuals have sought shelter in evacuation centers in the region.

The OCD-Bicol said Albay has 13,410 families or 38,473 individuals; Camarines Norte, 882 families (3,126 individuals); Camarines Sur, 1,995 families (7,015 individuals);  Sorsogon, 521 families (1,334 individuals) and Masbate, 184 families (253 individuals).

In Catanduanes, some 1,363 families or4,440 individuals were forcibly evacuated while 1,849 families or 6,251 individuals voluntarily left their houses.

People living in areas with high-risk of lahar flow, flooding and landslides in Guinobatan, Albay were also preemptively evacuated beginning early Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, the province of Aurora was placed on full alert as “Uwan” approaches and continues to threaten local communities and other nearby areas.

The Aurora Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Sunday that at least776 families or 2,673 individuals have been evacuated to designated centers across the province.

The 7th Infantry Division at Fort Magsaysay deployed heavy equipment, including trucks, backhoe loader and chainsaw to assist in disaster operations.

Local disaster management offices are continuously monitoring water levels and high-risk areas while coordinating with municipal councils.

Provincial DRRM officer and engineer Amado Elson Egargue emphasized the importance of public vigilance, urging residents to follow local government advisories and prioritize the safety of their families. 

In preparation for the super typhoon, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has opened around 435 evacuation centers across 22 PRC Chapters, sheltering 16,288 families or 55,293 individuals as of 12 noon Sunday.

The PRC  remains steadfast as it continues with its humanitarian operations as Super Typhoon Uwan  strengthens.

The typhoon has affected 23 provinces.

Reports from the PRC Operations Center (OpCen) indicate that flooding has already been reported in Capiz, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur.

A landslide in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental partially damaged two houses. 

Catanduanes, Northern Samar, and Sorsogon are experiencing power outages, while Masbate, Ticao, and Burias Islands reported a power shutdown early Sunday  morning.

PRC teams on the ground continue to provide critical services. 

PRC Safety Services has monitored the vital signs of 114 individuals and provided medical assistance in Sorsogon. 

The Emergency Response Unit has assisted 109 people to evacuation centers, while Disaster Management Services distributed 40 shelter-strengthening kits and supported three chapters in evacuation and typhoon awareness activities. 

PRC’s Welfare Services set up four welfare desks, provided a total of 263 psychological first aid sessions, and distributed 2,732 hot meals to affected communities.

A total of 463 volunteers have been mobilized, with food trucks, VERVs, and relief trucks deployed to priority areas, including Aurora, Nueva Ecija, and Agusan del Norte.

“All our people are awake and at the ready. We’ll do what we can to help everyone we can reach. The PRC has seen this before and we have been preparing our response even during Tino,” said PRC chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. 

“In this time of unrest, the Philippine Red Cross urges the public to remain vigilant, monitor weather updates, and follow the advisories of local authorities. For emergencies and assistance, contact the PRC Hotline #143,” he added.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Uwan” is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province as early as Sunday night with maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 230kph.

PAGASA raised the highest alert level, Signal No 5, for southeastern and central areas, including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Aurora province, while Metro Manila and nearby provinces were under Signal No 3.