Over 1 Million Evacuated as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Batters the Philippines

Over 1 Million Evacuated as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Batters the Philippines
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More than one million people have been evacuated across the Philippines and at least two people have been killed after Super Typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall on the country’s east coast, The Guardian reported. The storm, the second major typhoon to hit the nation within days, struck Luzon, the Philippines’ most populous island, bringing sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and gusts reaching 140 mph (225 km/h). Government meteorologists warned that Fung-Wong, one of the strongest storms in recent years, could cover nearly two-thirds of the country with torrential rain and violent winds.

The Civil Defense Office confirmed two fatalities before landfall — a man who drowned in Catanduanes and a woman who died when her home collapsed in Catbalogan City. Officials said the typhoon has already flooded low-lying towns, toppled trees, and disrupted power lines, with schools and government offices closed across Luzon, including in Manila, where nearly 300 flights were canceled.

Authorities have urged residents to comply with evacuation orders, warning that noncompliance endangers both civilians and rescuers. “We ask people to leave early to avoid last-minute rescues,” said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. The typhoon follows Typhoon Kalmaegi, which struck days earlier, killing at least 224 people and leaving more than 130 missing. Rescue operations for that storm’s victims were suspended Sunday due to dangerous conditions.

Scientists link the increasing strength of tropical storms to the human-driven climate crisis, citing warmer oceans that allow typhoons to intensify rapidly. As Fung-Wong continues to move north, forecasters expect it to exit the Philippines by Monday, head toward west Taiwan, and weaken by Thursday, though authorities warn that heavy rainfall and flash floods remain a major threat.