A massive super typhoon has hit the Philippines, unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm sweeps across the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Hit Hard First
Typhoon Fung Wong, with 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 face the storm’s full force early Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population center, is expected to take the heaviest impact by nightfall.
Locally known as Uwan, Fung Wong comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities, leaving nearly 200 dead. Schools have closed or shifted classes online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled multiple domestic flights ahead of the storm.
Pagasa forecasts that Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it moves across Luzon. Eastern provinces have already reported heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered in Coastal and Low-Lying Areas
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable regions 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 that all coastal hotels were cleared. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were deserted as locals prepared for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply throughout the day. Hagunoy said he would stay to guard the property before leaving on his motorbike once conditions became too dangerous. Staff reinforced gates and tied windows with ropes to prevent damage from violent winds.
Rescue Operations Halted After Kalmaegi’s Devastation
Fung Wong has forced the suspension of rescue missions still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the strongest storms this year. Torrential rain caused 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.
Philippine Government Declares Nationwide Calamity
The government has declared a nationwide state of calamity following Kalmaegi’s destruction and ahead of Fung Wong’s full impact. The measure 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 Strengthens Typhoons in the Pacific
The Philippines sits directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. About 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 more intense. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures strengthen typhoons, producing stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more destructive coastal flooding.
