A violent super typhoon has battered the Philippines, bringing destructive winds and relentless rain. Authorities have warned of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves across the nation’s largest island.
Bicol Region Faces the First Hit
Typhoon Fung Wong, carrying sustained winds of 185 km/h, is hitting several provinces, according to the national weather bureau Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to face its force early Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s most populated island, is expected to experience the strongest impact by nightfall.
Known locally as Uwan, Fung Wong follows just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities and killed nearly 200 people. Schools have been closed or moved online, while Philippine Airlines suspended multiple domestic flights ahead of the storm.
Pagasa predicts that Fung Wong will weaken after landfall but remain a typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already experienced heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Mass Evacuations Ordered in Coastal Areas
Officials have urged residents in low-lying and coastal communities 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 ensured all coastal hotels were cleared of guests. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were deserted as residents braced for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply through the day. Hagunoy said he would remain to protect the property before leaving on his motorbike once conditions became too dangerous. Staff tied windows with ropes and reinforced gates to prevent damage from strong winds.
Rescue Efforts Disrupted After Kalmaegi’s Destruction
The approach of Fung Wong has forced the suspension of rescue operations still ongoing 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, with more than 100 missing. In Vietnam, five others were killed 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 devastation and in preparation for Fung Wong’s impact. The declaration allows faster access to emergency funds and accelerates delivery of aid to affected communities.
Many Filipinos still traumatized by 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 Amplifies Typhoon Strength in the Pacific
The Philippines lies directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the most storm-prone countries in the world. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region annually, and roughly half strike the nation.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of typhoons but makes them more intense. Warmer oceans and rising air temperatures strengthen storms, producing heavier rainfall, faster winds, and more destructive coastal flooding.
