Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall on the northeastern coast of the Philippines on Sunday, causing two fatalities and prompting over a million individuals to evacuate from areas prone to flooding and landslides, authorities reported.
The typhoon hit Dinalungan town in Aurora province with sustained winds reaching up to 185 km/h and gusts up to 230 km/h after unleashing intense rain and wind across northeastern Philippine provinces throughout the day. This storm, spanning 1,600 kilometers wide, is the most significant threat to the Philippines this year, affecting a large portion of the Southeast Asian archipelago.
As Fung-wong approached from the Pacific, the country was still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which caused substantial destruction in central island provinces, claiming at least 224 lives before moving on to Vietnam where it caused additional fatalities.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in response to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the anticipated impact of Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan. The super typhoon was tracked by government forecasters near Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province, where heavy rainfall and fog reduced visibility.
With sustained winds exceeding 185 km/h, Fung-wong falls under the super typhoon category in the Philippines, emphasizing the heightened urgency associated with severe weather disturbances. Over 916,860 individuals were evacuated from high-risk areas in northeastern provinces, including Bicol, a region susceptible to cyclones from the Pacific and mudflows from Mayon Volcano.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. cautioned about the potentially catastrophic effects of Fung-wong, urging immediate evacuation from vulnerable areas to mitigate the risks of flash floods, landslides, and coastal surges. The Office of Civil Defence estimated that more than 30 million people could face hazards from the typhoon’s impact.
Although no international aid has been requested so far, the United States and Japan have expressed readiness to provide assistance. Local Red Cross chapters have established over 500 evacuation centers, accommodating nearly 21,000 families, as the country braces for the storm’s full impact.
Richard Gordon, chair of Red Cross Philippines, informed that two individuals have already perished, one in a landslide, and anticipated more casualties as Fung-wong intensifies. The storm has caused power outages in several eastern towns and villages, with authorities preemptively closing schools and government offices in northern provinces expected to be affected by the typhoon.
Reiza Dejito, country director for CARE Philippines, described the dire situation in affected areas, where flash floods, power outages, and blocked roads have exacerbated the challenges. The disruption caused by the typhoon has led to numerous flight cancellations and stranded commuters and cargo workers in seaports across the country.
Authorities have issued warnings of life-threatening storm surges exceeding three meters along the coasts of over 20 provinces, including metropolitan Manila. The Philippines, prone to frequent typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity, faces numerous natural disasters annually, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.