i try to explain this question.
1 にわたる+noun にわたって、にわたり+"、"
2 time+ にわたって、にわたり、にわたる, it means "it lasts"
兄は5時間にわたる大手術を受けた it means: the operation lasted 5 hours
3 a place+ にわたって、にわたり、にわたる, i think it is similar to "throughout"
西日本全域にわたり、台風の被害を受けた。 typhoon did a damage throughout western japan