A ferocious super typhoon has slammed into the Philippines, unleashing violent winds and relentless rain. Authorities are warning of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves across the country’s largest and most populated island.
Bicol Region Struck First by Typhoon
Typhoon Fung Wong, with sustained winds of 185 km/h, is pounding multiple provinces, according to the national weather bureau Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to bear the storm’s full force on Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population center, is expected to face the strongest impact by nightfall.
Locally called Uwan, Fung Wong follows only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated communities, killing nearly 200 people. Schools have been closed or shifted online, while Philippine Airlines has cancelled dozens of domestic flights in preparation for the storm.
Pagasa expects Fung Wong to weaken after landfall but remain a strong typhoon as it moves across Luzon. Eastern provinces have already reported heavy rain and strong winds since Saturday evening.
Evacuations Ordered Across Coastal Provinces
Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to move to higher ground. 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 checked to ensure all coastal hotels were evacuated. By Sunday morning, resorts and beaches were empty as residents prepared for the storm’s midnight landfall.
Tides surged sharply during the day. Hagunoy said he would stay to guard the property before leaving on his motorbike once it became too dangerous. Staff reinforced gates and tied windows with ropes to prevent glass from shattering in the wind.
Rescue Operations Stalled After Kalmaegi’s Devastation
Fung Wong has forced a halt to rescue missions still underway after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the year’s strongest storms. Heavy rain triggered landslides and flash floods that swept away entire neighborhoods.
At least 204 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 100 remain missing. In Vietnam, five others were killed as strong winds uprooted trees, tore roofs from homes, and smashed windows.
Philippine Government Declares Nationwide Calamity
The government has declared a nationwide state of calamity after Kalmaegi’s destruction and in preparation for Fung Wong’s full impact. The measure accelerates access to emergency funds and the delivery of aid to affected communities.
Many residents still traumatized by Kalmaegi fear the new storm. “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.”
Warmer Oceans Are Driving Stronger Pacific Typhoons
The Philippines sits directly on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world. About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region annually, with roughly half striking the country.
Experts say climate change may not increase the number of typhoons but makes them more intense. Warmer oceans and higher air temperatures strengthen storms, producing stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more destructive coastal flooding.
