A powerful super typhoon has hit the Philippines, unleashing destructive winds and relentless rain. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves across the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Hit First by the Typhoon
Typhoon Fung Wong, carrying sustained winds of 185 km/h, is battering several provinces, according to the national weather bureau Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to take the storm’s full force early Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population center, is expected to face the heaviest impact by nightfall.
Locally known as Uwan, Fung Wong arrives just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities and left nearly 200 dead. Schools have been closed or moved online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled dozens of domestic flights ahead of the storm.
Pagasa predicts Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already been battered by heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered in Coastal and Low-Lying Areas
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable regions to evacuate immediately. On Catanduanes Island in the Bicol region, emergency teams reported extreme conditions early Sunday.
In Aurora province, 21-year-old hotel worker Hagunoy said police repeatedly ensured all coastal hotels were cleared. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were deserted as residents prepared for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply during the day. Hagunoy said he would remain to guard the property before leaving on his motorbike once conditions became too dangerous. Staff tied windows with ropes and reinforced gates to prevent damage from the violent winds.
Rescue Operations Suspended After Kalmaegi’s Aftermath
Fung Wong has halted rescue missions still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the year’s strongest storms. Torrential rain triggered deadly landslides and flash floods that destroyed entire neighborhoods.
At least 204 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 100 remain missing. In Vietnam, five others died as strong winds uprooted trees, tore roofs off homes, and shattered windows.
Nation Declares State of Calamity
The Philippine government declared a nationwide state of calamity after Kalmaegi’s destruction and in preparation for Fung Wong’s full impact. The measure allows faster access to emergency funds and speeds up aid delivery to affected communities.
Many residents still recovering from Kalmaegi remain fearful. “We decided to evacuate because the last typhoon flooded our home. I just want my family safe,” said Norlito Dugan, sheltering in a church in Sorsogon, Luzon.
Another evacuee, Maxine Dugan, said: “The waves near my home are enormous. I live close to the shore. The winds are strong, and the sea keeps rising.”
Climate Change Drives Stronger Typhoons
The Philippines sits directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region each year, with roughly half striking the nation.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of storms but makes them stronger. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures intensify typhoons, producing heavier rainfall, faster winds, and more destructive coastal flooding.
