A powerful storm has struck the Philippines, upgraded to a super typhoon as it heads toward the country’s largest island. Officials warn of “life-threatening conditions” in several regions.
Life-Threatening Winds and Torrential Rains Hit Bicol
Typhoon Fung Wong will unleash sustained winds of 185 km/h and torrential rainfall across many areas, according to the national weather agency Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to face the storm’s direct impact on Sunday morning. Luzon, the nation’s main population center, is expected to be hit by Sunday night.
Known locally as Uwan, the storm follows just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated parts of the country, killing nearly 200 people. Schools have cancelled classes or moved lessons online, and Philippine Airlines suspended several domestic flights in preparation.
Pagasa expects the storm to weaken after making landfall but remain a typhoon as it crosses Luzon. Eastern provinces have already faced strong winds and heavy rain since Saturday night.
Evacuations Ordered as Coastal Towns Brace for Impact
Officials have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to move to higher ground. Catanduanes Island in the Bicol region reported extreme conditions early Sunday.
In the Aurora region on eastern Luzon, a 21-year-old hotel worker named Hagunoy described how local police ensured all coastal hotels were evacuated before the storm. By Sunday morning, the resorts stood empty as locals prepared for the typhoon’s arrival around midnight.
The tide had risen sharply. Hagunoy said he would stay to guard the property before heading home on his motorbike once conditions worsened. Staff secured gates and tied windows with rope to prevent the glass from shattering in the wind.
Destruction Follows Earlier Storm as Rescue Efforts Halt
Fung Wong has forced authorities to suspend rescue operations still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the strongest storms this year. Heavy rainfall sent torrents of mud down hillsides into residential areas. Entire neighborhoods were swept away by fast-moving flash floods.
At least 204 people are confirmed dead from the earlier storm, with more than 100 still missing. Five others died in Vietnam, where strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and shattered windows.
Nation Declares State of Calamity
The Philippine government has declared a state of calamity across the country after Kalmaegi’s devastation and in preparation for the new typhoon. This measure allows faster access to emergency funds and speeds up the delivery of aid and essential goods.
For many Filipinos, the destruction left by Kalmaegi has deepened fears about the incoming storm. “We decided to evacuate because the last typhoon flooded our area. I just want to keep my family safe,” said Norlito Dugan, who is sheltering in a church in Sorsogon, Luzon.
Another resident, Maxine Dugan, said: “I’m here because the waves near my house are huge. I live near the shore. The winds are strong, and the waves keep growing.”
Climate Change Intensifies Storms in the Pacific
The Philippines is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to tropical cyclones due to its position on the Pacific Ocean. Around 20 tropical storms form in the region every year, and about half strike the country directly.
Scientists do not expect climate change to increase the number of typhoons globally. However, warmer oceans and air temperatures can make existing storms more intense. That means stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and a greater risk of coastal flooding.
