A powerful super typhoon has struck the Philippines, bringing devastating winds and heavy rainfall. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm sweeps across the nation’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Feels the Brunt of the Storm
Typhoon Fung Wong, carrying sustained winds of 185 km/h, is hitting multiple provinces, according to the national weather service 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 known as Uwan, Fung Wong comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities and killed nearly 200 people. Schools have closed or moved lessons 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 moves across Luzon. Eastern provinces have already faced heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered Along Coastal and Low-Lying Areas
Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas 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 checked to ensure 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 through the day. Hagunoy said he would stay 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 violent winds.
Rescue Operations Disrupted After Kalmaegi’s Devastation
The approach of Fung Wong has halted 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 off homes, and shattered windows.
Nation Declares State of Calamity
The Philippine government declared a nationwide state of calamity following Kalmaegi’s destruction and in preparation for Fung Wong’s full impact. The measure accelerates access to emergency funds and speeds up 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 Drives Stronger Typhoons in the Pacific
The Philippines sits directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the most storm-prone countries in the world. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region annually, with roughly half striking the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of storms but makes them more intense. Warmer oceans and higher air temperatures strengthen typhoons, producing stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more destructive coastal flooding.
