A powerful super typhoon has slammed into the Philippines, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain to large parts of the country. Officials are warning of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves toward the nation’s largest island.
Bicol Hit Hard as Storm Makes First Landfall
Typhoon Fung Wong, with sustained winds of 185 km/h, is tearing through the country, according to the national weather bureau Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was first to feel its fury on Sunday morning. Luzon, the Philippines’ main population center, is expected to take a direct hit by nightfall.
Known locally as Uwan, the typhoon comes just days after Kalmaegi swept through the country, killing nearly 200 people and leaving widespread devastation. Schools have closed or moved to online classes, while Philippine Airlines cancelled several domestic flights in anticipation of the storm.
Pagasa expects Fung Wong to weaken after landfall but remain a typhoon as it travels across Luzon. Heavy rain and strong winds have already lashed the eastern provinces since Saturday night.
Mass Evacuations Ordered Along the Coast
Authorities have called for the evacuation of residents in low-lying and coastal communities. On Catanduanes Island in the Bicol region, emergency officials reported extreme conditions by early Sunday.
In Aurora province, 21-year-old hotel worker Hagunoy said police made sure all seaside hotels were emptied before the storm arrived. By Sunday morning, the beaches were deserted as locals prepared for landfall expected around midnight.
Tides have surged sharply. Hagunoy said he would stay to guard the property before leaving on his motorbike once the winds became too dangerous. Staff tied windows shut with ropes and reinforced gates to prevent them from breaking under pressure.
Rescue Operations Suspended After Deadly Kalmaegi Storm
The arrival of Fung Wong has halted rescue missions still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of this year’s strongest storms. Torrential rains unleashed deadly landslides and flash floods that swept through residential areas.
At least 204 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 100 remain missing. In Vietnam, five people also lost their lives as strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and shattered windows.
Government Declares Nationwide Emergency
The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity following Kalmaegi’s destruction and ahead of Fung Wong’s full impact. The move speeds up access to emergency funds and allows faster delivery of food, water, and medical aid.
Many Filipinos still recovering from Kalmaegi are filled with fear. “We decided to evacuate because the last storm flooded our area. 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 huge. I live close to the shore. The winds are strong, and the sea keeps rising.”
Rising Temperatures Drive Stronger Typhoons
The Philippines sits directly in the path of Pacific storms, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region every year, and around half strike the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the total number of typhoons but will make them stronger. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures feed powerful storms, leading to more intense winds, heavier rainfall, and greater risks of coastal flooding.
