A ferocious super typhoon has struck the Philippines, unleashing powerful winds and relentless rain. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm sweeps across the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Faces First Devastation
Typhoon Fung Wong, with sustained winds of 185 km/h, is battering multiple provinces, according to the national weather agency 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 experience the heaviest impact by nightfall.
Locally called Uwan, Fung Wong arrives just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi caused widespread destruction and killed nearly 200 people. Schools have closed or moved lessons online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled dozens of domestic flights in preparation for the storm.
Pagasa predicts Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already faced heavy rain and fierce winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Underway as Coastal Communities Brace for Impact
Authorities have ordered residents in low-lying and coastal areas to move to higher ground. 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 checked to ensure all coastal hotels were evacuated. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were deserted as residents prepared for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply throughout the day. Hagunoy said he would remain to protect the property before leaving on his motorbike once conditions became too dangerous. Staff tied windows with ropes and reinforced gates to prevent damage from violent winds.
Rescue Operations Halted After Kalmaegi’s Destruction
Fung Wong has forced the suspension of rescue missions still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the strongest storms this year. 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 from homes, and shattered windows.
Government Declares Nationwide Calamity
The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity nationwide following Kalmaegi’s devastation and ahead of Fung Wong’s full impact. The declaration speeds up access to emergency funds and delivery of aid 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 Intensifies Pacific Typhoons
The Philippines lies directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the most storm-prone countries in the world. Around 20 tropical cyclones form in the region each year, with roughly half striking the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of storms but makes them far stronger. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures intensify typhoons, producing heavier rainfall, faster winds, and more destructive coastal flooding.
