A destructive super typhoon has hit the Philippines, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall across vast regions. Authorities warn of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves over the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Faces the First Impact
Typhoon Fung Wong, packing sustained winds of 185 km/h, is battering several provinces, according to the national weather agency Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to take the storm’s full force early Sunday morning. Luzon, home to millions, is expected to face the heaviest impact by nightfall.
Locally known as Uwan, the storm comes only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities and left nearly 200 dead. Schools have suspended classes or moved them online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled numerous domestic flights in preparation for the storm.
Pagasa predicts Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a typhoon as it travels across Luzon. Eastern provinces have already reported strong winds and heavy rain since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered Across Coastal and Low-Lying Areas
Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate immediately. On Catanduanes Island in the Bicol region, emergency teams reported extreme weather conditions early Sunday.
In Aurora province, 21-year-old hotel worker Hagunoy said police repeatedly ensured all coastal hotels were cleared. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were deserted as residents prepared for the storm’s expected midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply throughout the day. Hagunoy said he would remain to protect the property before leaving on his motorbike once conditions became too dangerous. Staff reinforced gates and tied windows with rope to prevent damage from the violent winds.
Rescue Efforts Stalled After Kalmaegi’s Destruction
The approach of Fung Wong has halted rescue missions still ongoing 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 people also died as strong winds uprooted trees, tore roofs from homes, and shattered windows.
Philippine Government Declares Nationwide State of Calamity
The government declared a state of calamity nationwide after Kalmaegi’s destruction and ahead of Fung Wong’s full impact. The declaration allows faster access to emergency funds and accelerates the 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 Intensifies 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 powerful. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures strengthen typhoons, producing heavier rain, faster winds, and more destructive coastal flooding.
