A powerful typhoon named Fung-wong made landfall on the northeastern coast of the Philippines on Sunday, causing two fatalities and leading to the evacuation of over a million individuals from areas susceptible to flooding and landslides, according to officials.
The typhoon hit Dinalungan town in Aurora province on Sunday evening after unleashing heavy rains and strong winds in northeastern Philippine provinces throughout the day. It brought sustained winds of up to 185 km/h and gusts reaching 230 km/h.
This storm, covering approximately two-thirds of the Southeast Asian archipelago with its 1,600-kilometre-wide rain and wind band, is the most significant threat to the Philippines this year.
Fung-wong arrived from the Pacific while the country was still reeling from the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in at least 224 deaths in central island provinces before moving on to Vietnam, where five individuals lost their lives.
In response to the extensive damage from Kalmaegi and the looming threat of Fung-wong, also known as Uwan in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency.
The super typhoon was first detected by government forecasters near the town of Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province. Tropical cyclones with sustained winds exceeding 185 km/h are classified as super typhoons in the Philippines, emphasizing the seriousness of such extreme weather events.
Over 916,860 people were evacuated from high-risk villages in northeastern provinces, including the vulnerable Bicol region, known for facing Pacific cyclones and mudflows from the active Mayon volcano.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., responsible for disaster response agencies and the military, issued warnings about the potentially catastrophic impact of Fung-wong in televised statements.
The Office of Civil Defence estimated that more than 30 million people could be at risk due to the typhoon. Teodoro urged residents to comply with evacuation orders to avoid the dangers of flash floods, landslides, and coastal surges.
While no international assistance has been requested following Kalmaegi’s aftermath, Teodoro mentioned that the United States and Japan stand ready to offer aid if needed.
Local Red Cross chapters established over 500 evacuation centers, accommodating nearly 21,000 families. Richard Gordon, the chair of Red Cross Philippines, noted the organization’s ongoing efforts in response to multiple disasters this year.
As Fung-wong approached, causing power outages in several eastern areas, authorities preemptively closed schools and most government offices in northern provinces to be impacted.
Reiza Dejito, from CARE Philippines, described the dire conditions in affected regions, highlighting flash floods, power outages, and blocked roads. The ongoing challenges exacerbate the struggles faced by communities hit by previous typhoons.
Flight cancellations, stranded commuters, and warnings of life-threatening storm surges underscore the severity of the situation. The Philippines, prone to natural disasters, faces numerous typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activity annually.
