By Kenneth Marcos 
Dark clouds hovered over parts of Northern Luzon and Mindanao early Thursday as Tropical Depression “Uwan” continued to move northeastward over the sea east of Taiwan, the state weather bureau reported.
According to the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center, “Uwan,” with the international name Fung-Wong, maintained its strength while located about 280 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, as of Thursday morning. The tropical depression packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gustiness reaching up to 70 kph. It was moving northeast at 25 kph, gradually moving away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
While “Uwan” poses no direct threat to most parts of the country, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continues to affect Mindanao, bringing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms that may cause flash floods or landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas.
PAGASA reminded residents in affected regions to remain alert for possible flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage systems or those previously hit by heavy rains. Fisherfolk and small sea vessels are also advised to take extra caution when venturing into coastal waters, as moderate to rough seas may still occur in the northern and eastern sections of the country.
No tropical cyclone wind signals were raised as of posting time, but the weather bureau emphasized that continuous monitoring is necessary as rain patterns may still change due to the combined effects of “Uwan” and the ITCZ.
In recent weeks, several parts of Mindanao have experienced moderate to heavy rains that caused localized flooding, damaging crops and affecting rural communities. The Department of Agriculture is closely coordinating with local governments to monitor potential agricultural impacts, particularly in rice- and corn-producing areas.
The public is encouraged to follow official updates from DOST-PAGASA and local disaster management offices for the latest forecasts and advisories. Communities are also urged to prepare emergency supplies, secure outdoor items, and check for early warnings in their respective areas.
Even as “Uwan” moves farther away, its lingering effects remind Filipinos to stay vigilant during this final stretch of the rainy season. Preparedness, officials say, remains key in reducing risks from sudden weather changes.
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