MANILA — More than 100,000 residents have been evacuated from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong — locally known as Uwan — intensified on Sunday, threatening widespread destruction across Luzon and the eastern Visayas.
Packing sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts up to 230 km/h, the powerful storm is expected to make landfall in Aurora province by Sunday night, unleashing torrential rain, violent winds, and life-threatening storm surges. The nation’s weather bureau has raised Signal No. 5, its highest storm warning, for parts of southeastern Luzon including Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur, while Metro Manila and nearby provinces are under Signal No. 3.
Early reports from Eastern Visayas indicate power outages and rapidly deteriorating conditions. Images from the Philippine Coast Guard show evacuees wading through floodwaters and transferring from small boats to military trucks in pre-emptive rescue operations.
Authorities have canceled over 300 domestic and international flights and suspended sea travel nationwide. Videos shared on social media by ABS-CBN News showed sheets of rain and violently swaying trees in Catanduanes as the storm’s outer bands lashed the region.
The arrival of Fung-wong comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left 204 dead in the Philippines before moving on to Vietnam, where it caused additional fatalities and severe coastal damage.
Officials warn that with saturated ground and ongoing recovery efforts from Kalmaegi, the risk of flash floods, landslides, and infrastructure collapse is extremely high. “We’re facing a dangerous situation,” said a spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. “People must remain in evacuation centers until authorities declare it safe to return.”
As the eye of Fung-wong approaches, emergency teams are on high alert, hospitals are on standby for mass-casualty response, and the entire Luzon grid is bracing for what could be one of the strongest storms of the year.