A violent super typhoon has struck the Philippines, unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain across the country. Authorities have issued warnings of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves toward the nation’s largest island.
Bicol Region Endures the Storm’s First Fury
Typhoon Fung Wong, packing sustained winds of 185 km/h, has begun battering several regions, according to the national weather agency Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was first to feel its full force on Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population hub, is expected to be hit by Sunday night.
Locally known as Uwan, the typhoon comes just days after Kalmaegi devastated wide areas and killed nearly 200 people. Schools have closed or shifted online, while Philippine Airlines cancelled numerous domestic flights ahead of the storm.
Pagasa expects Fung Wong to weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already faced heavy rains and strong winds since late Saturday.
Thousands Evacuate as Coastlines Prepare for Landfall
Officials have ordered mass evacuations in low-lying and coastal communities. On Catanduanes Island in the Bicol region, residents reported extreme conditions early Sunday.
In Aurora province, 21-year-old hotel worker Hagunoy said local police made repeated visits to ensure all hotels near the coast were evacuated. By Sunday morning, the beaches were deserted as residents braced for the storm’s expected midnight arrival.
Tides surged and waves climbed dangerously high. Hagunoy said he would remain on-site to protect the property before escaping on his motorbike once the winds became too strong. Staff tied windows with rope and reinforced gates to reduce damage.
Rescue Efforts Halted After Kalmaegi’s Destruction
Fung Wong’s arrival forced the suspension of rescue missions following Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the year’s most powerful storms. Torrential rain triggered deadly mudslides that buried entire neighborhoods under water and debris.
At least 204 people have been confirmed dead and over 100 remain missing. In Vietnam, five people also died as powerful winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and smashed windows.
Government Declares National State of Calamity
The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity following the devastation from Kalmaegi and ahead of Fung Wong’s full impact. The declaration speeds up access to emergency funds and the distribution of food, water, and shelter to those in need.
Many residents still traumatized by Kalmaegi’s floods fear another disaster. “We decided to evacuate because the last storm destroyed our home. I just want to protect my family,” said Norlito Dugan, who is now taking refuge in a church in Sorsogon, Luzon.
Another evacuee, Maxine Dugan, said: “The waves near my home are enormous. I live near the sea. The winds are wild, and the water keeps rising.”
Climate Change Fuels the Strength of Pacific Storms
The Philippines lies directly in the path of Pacific typhoons, making it one of the most storm-exposed countries on Earth. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region each year, and roughly half strike the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the total number of typhoons, but it makes them far stronger. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures intensify storms, producing more violent winds, heavier rain, and severe coastal flooding.
