Philippines battered by Super Typhoon Fung-Wong: over 1 million evacuated, at least eight dead
The Philippines has once again been hit hard by a devastating storm. Typhoon Fung‑Wong (locally named Uwan) made landfall on Sunday in the northeast of the archipelago, bringing fierce winds, torrential rain and storm surges as the nation is still reeling from the earlier blow of Typhoon Kalmaegi.
The storm reached the Philippines’ most populous island, Luzon, with sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts as high as 230 kph (143 mph), according to the national weather service. Authorities reported at least eight fatalities, many caused by landslides in northern mountainous provinces, and over 1.4 million people displaced into evacuation centres or alternative shelters. Major infrastructure damage has been reported: homes destroyed or submerged, critical roads blocked by landslides, and power outages affecting millions.
Fung-Wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi ravaged central parts of the country, killing more than 200 people and leaving soils saturated and unstable.
Because the ground was already weakened, the impact of Fung-Wong’s rains and winds was amplified — resulting in deeper floods, more dangerous landslides and widespread destruction.
Over one million people were evacuated ahead of the storm’s landfall as authorities issued urgent warnings and opened evacuation centres.
In the hardest-hit areas, rescue teams are working in challenging conditions — heavy rainfall, blocked roads and lingering risk of additional slides hamper operations.
The national government has declared a state of national calamity for at least a year to speed up recovery and provide emergency funds.
The storm is now moving away from the Philippines toward the South China Sea and expected to approach Taiwan in the coming days, albeit weakened. Climate scientists warn that events like these are becoming more frequent and intense due to warming sea surface temperatures, giving tropical cyclones more energy and moisture.
- In the province of Aurora, floodwaters rose over rooftops and entire homes were swept away.
- In Catanduanes, homes were submerged and residents stranded on roofs awaiting rescue.
- In Nueva Vizcaya, two children were killed in a mudslide triggered by the heavy rainfall.
