Super Typhoon Ravages Northern Philippines
Typhoon Fung-wong has exited the northwestern Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction that includes at least two confirmed fatalities and the displacement of more than 1.4 million individuals. The storm triggered severe flooding and landslides, crippling power supplies across entire provinces before moving into the South China Sea.
Path of Destruction and Immediate Aftermath
The super typhoon made landfall in Aurora province on Sunday night, packing sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and powerful gusts reaching 230 kph (143 mph). This massive 800-kilometer-wide weather system weakened as it tracked across mountainous regions and agricultural plains. Officials reported that one victim drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes province, while another died in Catbalogan city when her house collapsed.
In a massive pre-emptive evacuation effort, over 1.4 million people sought refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives before the typhoon struck. As of Monday, approximately 318,000 people remained in evacuation centres. The fierce winds and torrential rains submerged at least 132 northern villages, with some residents trapped on their roofs as waters rose rapidly.
National Response and Ongoing Challenges
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defence confirmed that about 1,000 houses were damaged. He warned that while the typhoon has passed, its residual rains continue to pose a danger in northern Luzon, including metropolitan Manila. “We’ll undertake today rescue, relief and disaster-response operations,” Alejandro stated.
The disaster compounds the Philippines' existing crisis, as the country was still grappling with the devastation from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people earlier in the week. In response, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday. The government has cancelled schools and closed most offices, while over 325 domestic and 61 international flights were grounded. More than 6,600 commuters were stranded after the coast guard halted sea travel.
The Philippines, which faces around 20 typhoons annually, is one of the world's most disaster-prone nations. While international aid has not yet been formally requested, treaty allies like the United States and Japan have signalled their readiness to assist.
