By Peter.
At least six fatalities have been reported after Super Typhoon Fung-Wong ravaged the Philippines, compounding grief from an earlier storm that killed over 200 just days prior.
The super typhoon unleashed devastating floods and landslides—responsible for most deaths—while blacking out entire provinces. It has since downgraded to a typhoon but continues barreling toward Taiwan, prompting evacuations of more than 3,000 residents there.
Ahead of its Philippine landfall, authorities pre-emptively moved 1.4 million people to safety. This marks the 21st typhoon to strike the Southeast Asian archipelago in 2025, hitting communities already battered by successive calamities.
Locally dubbed Uwan, Fung-Wong hammered Aurora province on Luzon Sunday evening, packing sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h. The national weather agency had flagged risks of catastrophic gales and “life-threatening” surges from the “very intense” system.
In hard-hit Cabanatuan, floodwaters surged Monday, forcing families to scramble for belongings—hauling out furniture and pets—as rivers overflowed. Though not matching the ferocity of the Philippines’ fiercest historical storms, Fung-Wong’s torrential downpours wrecked or damaged around 4,100 homes.
Local resident Mercidita Adriano shared how her family pruned nearby trees last week in preparation. As the onslaught peaked, the group of 10 huddled in a cramped room, reciting prayers through the roar. Heavy rains eventually ripped away sections of their roof, but the structure held.
By Tuesday morning, widespread inundation persisted, though waters had begun receding in many spots.
This storm struck mere days after Typhoon Kalmaegi tore through the same areas, displacing tens of thousands. September’s magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu added to the toll, shaking recovery efforts.
The Philippines, a hotspot for such events, faces an unusual spike this year, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. In a Sunday release, the group stressed:
“This barrage is far from normal—it’s a glaring signal of intensifying climate and seismic threats to at-risk countries. Immediate aid must ramp up to avert more tragedies and bolster rebuilding from this fresh blow.”
As Fung-Wong eyes Taiwan, officials there brace for impacts, while Philippine responders race to aid stranded households and restore grids.
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