A powerful super typhoon has hit the Philippines, unleashing strong winds and heavy rainfall. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves across the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Takes the First Hit
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 its full force early Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population center, is expected to experience the strongest 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 moved classes online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled multiple domestic flights ahead of the storm.
Pagasa predicts Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already reported heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered Along Coasts and Low-Lying Areas
Authorities 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 that all coastal hotels were cleared. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were empty as residents prepared for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply throughout the day. Hagunoy said he would remain 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 Efforts Stalled 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.
Philippine Government Declares State of Calamity
The government has declared a nationwide state of calamity following Kalmaegi’s destruction and in preparation for Fung Wong’s full impact. The declaration accelerates 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 Increases Typhoon Intensity
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, and roughly half strike the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of storms but makes them stronger. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures intensify typhoons, producing heavier rainfall, faster winds, and more destructive coastal flooding.
