Super Typhoon Uwan Shreds Through the Philippines

Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) struck the Philippines on Sunday night, unleashing destructive winds and relentless rainfall across several regions. Communities were inundated as floodwaters rapidly rose, and by dawn, at least four fatalities had been confirmed, with more than 1.4 million people displaced from their homes. The impact came swiftly after Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), which had claimed over 220 lives in the central islands just days earlier.

Uwan developed quickly over the western Pacific on November 3, 2025, intensifying as it moved toward Luzon. Meteorological data from the Japan Meteorological Agency recorded 10-minute sustained winds at 155 km/h (100mph) and central pressure at 950 hPa. The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center later classified Uwan as a Category 4-equivalent system, reporting one-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h (130mph) and a minimum pressure of 943 hPa.

Strong waves due to Super Typhoon Uwan have struck Dinapigue, Isabela, Philippines 🇵🇭 (09.11.2025)pic.twitter.com/TeYGDy5gLV

— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) November 9, 2025

The typhoon made landfall in Dinalungan, Aurora Province late on November 9. Uwan arrived as a super typhoon, demolishing homes, uprooting trees, and toppling power lines. Its eye traversed central Luzon overnight, bringing intense rainfall, before exiting into the West Philippine Sea by Monday morning.

In Tuguegarao City, the Chico River overflowed, submerging entire neighborhoods. Provincial rescue chief Rueli Rapsing described urgent rooftop rescues as “Tuguegarao is underwater now.” In Aurora, landslides isolated four towns and covered mountain roads with debris.

Farther south, storm surges up to three meters struck Catanduanes and the Bicol Region. Video footage captured streets transformed into torrents. “When the waves hit the seawall, it felt like the ground was shaking,” recalled Edson Casarino of Virac.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Uwan affected over 1.19 million individuals, including 330,000 families. A massive evacuation effort relocated 1.4 million people—one of the largest in recent years—prior to landfall.

The storm left widespread damage: 149 roads and 32 bridges were rendered impassable, 168 cities and towns lost power, and numerous communication lines were severed. Flooding impacted 132 areas, and storm surges affected 13 coastal communities.

Authorities mobilized thousands of responders from the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Fire Protection. Nearly 12,000 personnel deployed with trucks, boats, and aircraft, conducting rescue and relief operations. Emergency teams distributed food and shelter, while medical staff worked extended hours in crowded evacuation centers to mitigate disease outbreaks.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the evacuation measures, crediting them with saving lives. “Pre-emptive evacuation once again proved to be effective,” he stated, directing agencies to prioritize restoring electricity, water, and communications in the most severely affected areas.

Meteorologists highlighted that Uwan’s extensive reach—spanning nearly the entire width of the Philippines—exacerbated its impact. Some regions recorded over 200 millimeters of rainfall, triggering widespread flash floods and landslides in northern Luzon.

Although Uwan weakened slightly over land, it remained a dangerous Category 2-3 typhoon as it approached Taiwan, prompting warnings there. Experts note that storms of this magnitude—intensifying rapidly and bringing heavier rainfall—are becoming increasingly common in the western Pacific due to warmer ocean conditions.

Uwan’s destructive passage across Luzon will be remembered not only for its scale, but also for what it indicates: with each passing year, typhoons appear to grow stronger, deliver heavier rainfall, and leave larger populations struggling to recover.