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| Super Typhoon Uwan Envelopes the whole Philippines Image Courtesy of JMA-HIMAWARI |
MANILA, Philippines – November 9, 2025 — As Super Typhoon Uwan barrels toward the Philippine archipelago with terrifying intensity, the ghost of Typhoon Tino still haunts Cebu—where flash floods drowned streets, swallowed homes, and exposed a ₱26-billion flood control project that failed in its very first major test.
While Tino left behind mud, grief, and questions of accountability, Uwan looms as a potential catastrophe of even greater scale. But how do these two storms truly compare? And what do their differences—and chilling similarities—reveal about the Philippines’ readiness for climate chaos?
Typhoon Tino (International Name: Toraji) – November 2025
The Storm That Broke Cebu’s Trust
- Peak Intensity: Category 2 typhoon
- Sustained Winds: 140 km/h
- Gusts: Up to 185 km/h
- Rainfall: Over 300 mm in 24 hours in Metro Cebu
- Fatalities: 21 confirmed deaths
- Affected: More than 320,000 people across Central Visayas
- Damage: Estimated ₱8.4 billion in infrastructure and agriculture
The Flood Control Scandal
From 2022 up to 2025, the national government launched the Cebu Integrated Flood Mitigation Project, touted as a “state-of-the-art” system worth ₱26-billion. Yet when Tino struck in late 2025, the newly built canals and pumping stations failed to activate properly—some were still under construction, others clogged with debris.
Local officials admitted: “The system wasn’t ready for a storm of this magnitude.”
But critics shot back: “If it can’t handle a Category 2, why spend billions?”
Super Typhoon Uwan (International Name: Yinxing) – November 2025
The Monster at the Door
As of November 9, 2025, Uwan is classified as a Super Typhoon—the strongest storm to threaten the Philippines this year.
- Peak Intensity: Category 5 equivalent
- Sustained Winds: 215 km/h (and rising)
- Gusts: Up to 260 km/h
- Projected Rainfall: 400–600 mm in 48 hours in Eastern Luzon and Bicol
- Storm Surge Risk: Up to 5 meters in coastal zones
- Population in Path: Over 12 million people across 6 regions
Unlike Tino, which struck with moderate force but overwhelming rain, Uwan combines extreme wind, torrential rain, and massive storm surge—a triple threat that could overwhelm even well-prepared cities.
PAGASA warns: “This is not just a weather event—it’s a national emergency in the making.”
Head-to-Head: Key Statistical Comparison
The Bigger Lesson: Climate Change Isn’t Waiting
Typhoon Tino was a wake-up call. Super Typhoon Uwan is the alarm blaring at full volume.
Experts warn that storms are intensifying faster, rainfall is becoming more extreme, and infrastructure built for the 20th century cannot survive the 21st. The ₱26-billion failure in Cebu isn’t just about corruption or delays—it’s about planning for the wrong future.
As President Marcos Jr. places the entire country on high alert, one question echoes from Cebu to Bicol:
Will we repeat the mistakes of Tino—or finally get ready for Uwan?
What’s Next?
- Evacuations have begun in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Eastern Samar.
- The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council has prepositioned relief goods and rescue teams.
- Employees in affected areas have been placed on work-from-home status as a precaution.
- Mall Shows and Theatre Shows are postponed to a later date.
For real-time updates, follow Balitang Huli—because when the storm hits, truth is the first lifeline.
Stay safe. Stay informed. And never underestimate the sky.
