Typhoon Fung-wong has left the northwestern Philippines after causing floods, landslides, and power outages, resulting in at least eight fatalities and displacing over 1.4 million individuals. The typhoon is expected to move northwest towards Taiwan.
The storm struck the northern Philippines while still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which claimed 224 lives in central provinces before hitting Vietnam, where five casualties were reported. Fung-wong made landfall in northeastern Aurora province as a super typhoon with winds reaching 185 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 230 kilometers per hour.
Several fatalities were recorded, including drownings in flash floods in Catanduanes and a collapsed house incident in Catbalogan city. Landslides in Nueva Vizcaya and other provinces caused additional casualties and injuries.
Over 1.4 million people sought refuge in shelters or with relatives prior to the typhoon’s arrival, with approximately 318,000 individuals still in evacuation centers. The storm caused flooding in 132 villages, damaging around 1,000 houses.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency due to the extensive damage caused by the consecutive typhoons, Kalmaegi and Fung-wong. The Philippines classifies storms with sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour or higher as super typhoons to emphasize the severity of such weather events.
Despite the significant impact of the typhoons, international aid has not been requested. However, the United States and Japan have expressed readiness to provide assistance. Schools, government offices, and flights were suspended, and thousands of individuals were stranded due to rough seas.
The Philippines faces numerous natural disasters annually, with an average of 20 typhoons and storms, earthquakes, and active volcanoes, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries globally.