The Philippines’ weather agency has issued a warning about potentially deadly storm surges reaching up to five meters and damaging winds as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches the eastern coast. It is predicted to strengthen into a super typhoon before hitting land on Sunday night.
This vast typhoon, spanning 1,500 kilometers (932 miles), is already affecting parts of eastern Philippines with heavy rain and wind, according to PAGASA meteorologist Benison Estareja in a briefing.
“It can cover nearly the entire country,” Estareja stated. Locally known as Uwan, Fung-wong currently has maximum sustained winds of 140 kph, with gusts up to 170 kph, and could intensify to 185 kph as it approaches land, potentially causing severe damage to homes, trees, and structures.
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Eastern Philippine provinces, particularly the Bicol region and parts of Samar, could receive up to 200 mm of rainfall, increasing the risk of widespread flooding and landslides. Northern and central Luzon might experience 100-200 mm of rain during its path.
PAGASA has urged residents in low-lying and coastal zones to move to higher ground and suspend all marine activities, warning of storm surges that could flood coastal areas and violent winds.
Several local authorities have canceled classes for Monday, and the Philippines’ national airline has suspended some flights in preparation for Fung-wong’s expected landfall.
This alert follows shortly after Typhoon Kalmaegi caused extensive damage, impacting coastal areas, uprooting trees, and damaging roofs and windows.
Kalmaegi resulted in 204 fatalities in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, displaced hundreds of thousands, and caused widespread power outages.
Vietnam’s disaster agency reported damage to nearly 2,800 homes, with about 500,000 people still without electricity. In the Philippines, severe flooding destroyed homes and blocked streets with debris.
Both Vietnam and the Philippines are highly susceptible to tropical storms and typhoons due to their position along the Pacific typhoon belt, often suffering damage and casualties during peak storm seasons.
In Thailand, Kalmaegi’s residual effects have led to heavy rain and localized flooding in the northeast and central regions.
Scientists warn that storms like Kalmaegi are becoming stronger as global temperatures rise.
