Super Typhoon Fung-wong has led to the deaths of four individuals in the Philippines, according to local authorities. The typhoon made landfall on Sunday, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall across the nation, particularly affecting the populous island of Luzon. As the storm’s intensity decreases, officials are now assessing the extent of the damage.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, over one million people were evacuated from their homes. Many residents experienced a harrowing night as the storm battered their communities. “We could not sleep because of the winds hitting our metal sheets and tree branches falling,” remarked Romeo Mariano, who sought shelter with his grandmother in Isabela province. Following the storm, he noted visible damage to their home.
Initial reports suggest that the overall death toll may be limited. Raffy Alejandro, a senior official within the civil defense, stated in a media briefing on Monday that the number of fatalities “will be minimal.” However, two children lost their lives due to a mudslide in Kayapa, located in Nueva Vizcaya. This tragic incident followed two other deaths attributed to drowning and falling debris.
Impact and Continuing Threats
In addition to the fatalities, landslides have isolated at least four towns in Aurora, the province where Fung-wong made landfall. The storm is now expected to shift northeast towards Taiwan, where it is predicted to maintain wind speeds between 130 km/h and 160 km/h. Although the winds have weakened, the storm remains classified as a typhoon, and its outer bands could still bring significant rainfall and potential storm surges to vulnerable coastal areas.
Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which tragically resulted in 224 deaths. The storm has already raised concerns in Taiwan, particularly along its densely populated west coast, where evacuations have been ordered in areas previously affected by flooding. The government of Taiwan is preparing for possible severe weather, with the heaviest rainfall expected along the mountainous eastern coastline, where 18 people lost their lives in September due to similar flooding.
As the situation evolves, local officials continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory, providing updates to residents and coordinating relief efforts in affected areas. The resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters remains a focal point as they begin to recover from yet another severe weather event.
