Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) battered a large portion of the Philippines over the weekend, resulting in two reported fatalities and the preemptive evacuation of approximately 1.4 million individuals, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced on Monday.
OCD Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV stated in a video statement that the 1.4 million individuals represent around 426,000 families, based on data provided by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The fatalities, which remain subject to validation, were reported in the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas. One victim in Viga, Catanduanes, reportedly died due to drowning, while the other in Catbalogan City, Samar, was hit by a collapsed structure. Two injured individuals were also reported.
The preemptive evacuations spanned Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the National Capital Region, as well as the newly established Negros Island Region. The Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Calabarzon accounted for the highest number of evacuees.
Alejandro noted that around 6,000 active evacuation centers are currently housing 318,000 individuals, or 92,000 families.
Damage assessment for infrastructure and agriculture is ongoing. Preliminary reports indicate that approximately 1,000 houses have been damaged by the typhoon’s effects.