Typhoon Fung-wong departed from the northwestern Philippines on Monday after causing floods and landslides, resulting in power outages in entire provinces. The storm led to at least eight fatalities and the displacement of over 1.4 million individuals. Its trajectory was projected to move northwest towards Taiwan.
Fung-wong struck the northern Philippines while the nation was still recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which claimed the lives of at least 224 individuals in central provinces before hitting Vietnam, where five casualties were reported. Fung-wong made landfall in northeastern Aurora province as a powerful typhoon with sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 230 kilometers per hour.
The storm weakened as it traversed through mountainous northern provinces and agricultural regions before moving away from La Union province into the South China Sea. Tragic incidents included drowning in flash floods in Catanduanes province, a house collapse fatality in Catbalogan city, landslides in Nueva Vizcaya province causing three child deaths, and an elderly person’s demise in a mudslide in Barlig.
Additionally, a landslide in Lubuagan resulted in two deaths, with two individuals reported missing. Over 1.4 million people sought refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives before the typhoon’s landfall, with approximately 318,000 individuals still in evacuation centers. The storm caused extensive damage, including flooding in 132 northern villages and destruction of around 1,000 houses.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency due to the severe impact of Kalmaegi and anticipated damage from Fung-wong. The designation of Fung-wong as a super typhoon in the Philippines highlights the urgency associated with extreme weather events. While the storm has passed, the risk of continued rainfall remains in certain areas, necessitating ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
The Philippines has not requested international aid following the disasters, although assistance stands ready from allies like the United States and Japan. School closures, flight cancellations, and port disruptions were implemented as precautionary measures. The Philippines, prone to frequent typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity, faces numerous natural disasters annually.