Philippines Braces for Super Typhoon Fung-Wong as Nation Still Reeling from Kalmaegi’s Destruction

Philippines on High Alert as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Approaches, 900,000 Evacuated

More than 900,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong bears down on Luzon Island, even as the country continues to recover from the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi. Work and classes have been suspended in several areas, including Metro Manila.

Fung-Wong, known locally as Uwan, is expected to make landfall in Aurora province by Sunday night, bringing powerful winds and torrential rains. The storm follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left 224 people dead in the Philippines and another five in Vietnam, where it ravaged coastal communities.

Authorities said Fung-Wong is already unleashing heavy rain across parts of Luzon, with sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 km/h (140 mph).

Authorities Urge Early Evacuation as Alert Raised to Highest Level

The government has raised Signal No. 5, the highest storm alert, in southeastern and central regions including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Aurora, while Metro Manila and surrounding provinces are under Signal No. 3.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro urged residents in the storm’s projected path to comply with evacuation orders, warning that ignoring them would be both dangerous and illegal.

“We are asking people to evacuate early so that we won’t be forced into last-minute rescue operations that put police, soldiers, firefighters, and coast guard personnel at risk,” Teodoro said in a public address.

Fung-Wong — the 21st storm to hit the Philippines this year, in a country that typically experiences 20 annually — threatens to overwhelm disaster response efforts as officials continue assisting Kalmaegi survivors and rebuilding destroyed communities.

Civil defense official Raffy Alejandro said authorities hope to avoid casualties this time. The military has redeployed around 2,000 soldiers from field training to focus on humanitarian aid and disaster response.

‘We’re Scared,’ Say Residents Sheltering in Evacuation Centers

In Isabela province in northern Luzon, dozens of families have taken refuge in a basketball court converted into an evacuation center.

“We heard on the news that the storm was very strong, so we left early,” said Christopher Sanchez, 50, who fled his riverside home with his family. “We left our belongings on the roof because every time there’s a storm, we come here. In past typhoons, the floodwaters rose higher than a person’s height. We’re scared — we’re here with our children and grandchildren.”

A Reuters journalist in Isabela reported stormy conditions: gray skies blanketing the province, trees swaying violently in the wind, and sheets of rain reducing visibility on the roads.

Photos from the Philippine Coast Guard showed residents in Camarines Sur carrying bags and boarding trucks from narrow passenger boats.

Power outages were reported in Eastern Visayas, and about 400 domestic and international flights have been canceled, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.