Super Typhoon Fung-wong has claimed the lives of four individuals in the Philippines as authorities begin to assess the damage following the storm’s passage. The typhoon, one of the most powerful storms of the year, made landfall on Sunday, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rains, and significant storm surges primarily affecting the populous island of Luzon.
More than one million people were evacuated in anticipation of Fung-wong’s impact. As the storm approached, residents faced fierce winds that kept many awake throughout the night. Romeo Mariano, a resident of Isabela province, recounted the experience: “We could not sleep because of the winds hitting our metal sheets and tree branches falling. When we got out to check our home, we saw the damage.”
As of Monday, early assessments indicate that the overall death toll “will be minimal,” according to Raffy Alejandro, a senior official with the civil defense agency. The fatalities include two children who died when a mudslide buried their home in Kayapa, located in Nueva Vizcaya. Two additional deaths were reported due to drowning and fallen debris in other areas affected by the storm.
Damage and Ongoing Threats
In addition to the fatalities, landslides have isolated at least four towns in Aurora, the province where Fung-wong made landfall. As the storm moves northeast toward Taiwan, its wind speeds have decreased to between 130 km/h and 160 km/h, but it remains classified as a typhoon. The outer bands of the storm are expected to continue to cause rainfall in coastal regions and could also trigger further storm surges.
Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to strike the Philippines this year, following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in the deaths of 224 individuals last week. In Vietnam, five people were reportedly killed as a result of the same storm system.
The typhoon is forecasted to make landfall on Taiwan’s densely populated west coast on Wednesday. The eastern coast, which is prone to flooding, is expected to receive the heaviest rainfall. In September, a previous typhoon caused significant flooding in the area, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals. The Taiwanese government has already ordered evacuations in Guangfu, a town that experienced devastating floods during that earlier storm.
Authorities in both the Philippines and Taiwan continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing public safety as they prepare for potential further impacts from Typhoon Fung-wong.
