Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Hits Philippines Over 1 Million Evacuated

The Philippines is grappling with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, which made landfall after wreaking havoc across the archipelago. The storm, arriving just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated central islands, has forced over 1 million residents to evacuate and left entire villages submerged.

Fung-Wong slammed into the eastern seaboard on Sunday evening, uprooting trees, flooding towns, and cutting electricity in several provinces. Its footprint spanned nearly the entire country, with the hardest-hit areas including Cagayan, Catanduanes, and parts of Luzon.

In Cagayan, rescue officials reported that the Chico River overflowed, prompting emergency evacuations. Video footage confirmed that some residents were still trapped on rooftops as floodwaters surged. In Tuguegarao, about 30 kilometers from the river, large sections of the city were submerged.

Aurora province also reported extensive damage. Landslides blocked major roads, and power remained down in several towns. “We couldn’t mobilize last night due to heavy rain and high water volume,” said a local rescue worker from Dipaculao town.

Samar province, still recovering from Typhoon Kalmaegi, recorded the first known death from Fung-Wong when a 64-year-old woman drowned amid strong winds and rain in Catbalogan City. A second fatality was reported on Catanduanes island due to flash flooding. Residents described storm surges that transformed streets into raging torrents, while homes and churches were partially submerged.

The typhoon is now moving towards Taiwan, where forecasters expect up to 350 millimeters (14 inches) of rain in 24 hours, triggering evacuations in vulnerable areas. Meteorologists warn that climate change is intensifying storms globally, as warmer oceans and a moisture-laden atmosphere allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly.

Philippine authorities continue cleanup operations, while President Ferdinand Marcos extended the “state of national calamity” due to Kalmaegi to a full year, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The dual impact of Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-Wong highlights the increasing vulnerability of the Philippines to extreme weather events, raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness.