Fierce winds and torrential rains devastate northern Philippines as authorities warn of continuing danger before the storm heads toward Taiwan
Super Typhoon Fung Wong has torn through the Philippines, killing at least two people and forcing more than 1.4 million others to flee their homes amid widespread flooding, power outages and landslides. The storm, one of the most intense of the year, made landfall in the northeastern province of Aurora on Sunday night before sweeping across Luzon with sustained winds of up to 185km/h and gusts reaching 230km/h.
The vast 1,800km-wide system triggered the highest storm alerts across southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and parts of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. By Monday morning, it had weakened as it moved into the South China Sea but left a trail of destruction in its wake.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, Fung Wong flooded at least 132 villages and damaged more than 1,000 homes, while roads across several provinces were blocked by landslides. Officials said rescue and relief operations were under way as the storm’s heavy rains continued to threaten low-lying areas, including parts of metropolitan Manila.
“While the typhoon has passed, its rains still pose a danger in certain areas,” said Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the civil defence office. “We’ll undertake rescue, relief and disaster-response operations throughout the day.”
One person drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes, while another was killed in the city of Catbalogan in Eastern Samar when her home collapsed.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr last week declared a national state of emergency following the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which struck just days earlier, killing 204 people in the Philippines before moving on to Vietnam. Officials warned that Fung Wong, known locally as Uwan, would likely worsen conditions in many regions still recovering from the previous storm.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr described Fung Wong as “potentially catastrophic,” saying military units and disaster agencies had been mobilised nationwide. Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed residents of Camarines Sur boarding trucks during mass evacuations, while tens of thousands of families were relocated to emergency shelters or the homes of relatives.
Power outages were reported across Eastern Visayas and Bicol regions, and authorities confirmed that more than 325 domestic and 61 international flights were cancelled. Over 6,600 passengers and cargo workers were stranded at ports after the coast guard banned sea travel due to dangerous conditions. Seven airports, including those in Naga, Virac, Masbate, Daet, Bulan, Sorsogon and Bacon, were closed over the weekend, with normal operations unlikely to resume before midweek.
All schools and most government offices in affected areas were ordered closed on Monday and Tuesday. Despite the typhoon’s passage, forecasters warned that continued heavy rain could cause further flooding and landslides as swollen rivers and saturated hillsides remain unstable.
The storm comes at the height of the Pacific typhoon season, which has already brought severe destruction to the region. The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, is hit by about 20 tropical cyclones each year.
As Fung Wong moves northwest toward Taiwan, authorities there are preparing for impact, with meteorologists predicting possible landfall in Yunlin or Chiayi provinces by Wednesday. Taiwan’s Central Weather Agency has urged residents in northern and eastern areas to brace for strong winds and torrential rain.
In the Philippines, more than 318,000 people remain in evacuation centres, while officials continue to assess the full extent of the damage. “The scale of displacement and destruction shows the strength of this storm,” said Mr Teodoro. “Our priority now is saving lives and restoring essential services as quickly as possible.”