Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the most formidable storm to threaten the Philippines in 2023, began to batter the country's northeastern coast as it approached landfall on Sunday. The typhoon has already caused significant disruptions, knocking out power, forcing the evacuation of over a million residents, and prompting the defense chief to issue urgent warnings for those in high-risk areas to evacuate to safety. The situation is critical as the Philippines grapples with the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which had already claimed the lives of at least 224 people in the central island provinces before making its way to Vietnam, where it resulted in the deaths of five more individuals.
In light of the extensive destruction caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi and the impending threat of Fung-wong, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency. Locally known as Uwan, Typhoon Fung-wong has winds reaching up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph). Government forecasters tracked the typhoon near the coastal waters of Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province, where heavy rains and fog have made visibility nearly impossible.
According to state forecasters, Fung-wong is expected to move northwest, making landfall on the coast of either Aurora or Isabela province later on Sunday or early Monday. In the Philippines, a tropical cyclone is classified as a super typhoon when it exhibits sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) or higher. This categorization emphasizes the urgency of response measures associated with such severe weather events.
Roberto Monterola, a disaster-mitigation officer in Catanduanes, reported that the rain and wind were so intense that visibility was almost zero. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties in Catanduanes, which has a population of over 200,000. Despite the evacuation orders issued on Saturday, some residents chose to remain in their homes. Monterola shared a dramatic rescue story where emergency personnel saved 14 individuals trapped on a roof in a flood-prone area. He also recounted a distress call from a father whose roof was on the verge of being torn off by the fierce winds.
Over one million people have been evacuated from high-risk villages in northeastern provinces, including the Bicol region, known for its vulnerability to Pacific cyclones and mudflows from Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who oversees disaster response agencies and the military, has warned of the devastating potential of Fung-wong, stating that it could impact a vast area of the country, including Cebu and metropolitan Manila, home to over 30 million residents.
Teodoro emphasized the importance of heeding evacuation orders to avoid life-threatening situations from flash floods, landslides, and coastal surges. He noted, “We need to do this because when it’s already raining or the typhoon has hit and flooding has started, it’s hard to rescue people.” Despite the destruction caused by Kalmaegi, the Philippines has not requested international aid, although Teodoro mentioned that the United States and Japan, traditional allies, are on standby to provide assistance.
As Fung-wong approaches, several towns and villages in the eastern regions have already experienced power outages. The deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, reported that authorities in northern provinces have preemptively closed schools and government offices for Monday and Tuesday. Travel disruptions have been significant, with at least 325 domestic and 61 international flights canceled over the weekend, leaving over 6,600 commuters and cargo workers stranded at 109 seaports. The coast guard has prohibited vessels from venturing into the turbulent seas due to safety concerns.
Authorities have issued warnings regarding a “high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge” exceeding 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) along the coasts of over 20 provinces and regions, including metropolitan Manila. As the threat of Super Typhoon Fung-wong looms, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of residents and minimizing the storm's devastating impact.
