Typhoon Fung-wong exited the northwestern Philippines on Monday following widespread floods and landslides that caused power outages across entire provinces, resulting in a death toll of at least eight individuals and displacing over 1.4 million residents. The typhoon was anticipated to move northwest towards Taiwan.
Fung-wong struck the northern part of the Philippines while still recovering from the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which claimed the lives of at least 224 people in central provinces before moving on to Vietnam where five individuals lost their lives.
The super typhoon made landfall in northeastern Aurora province on Sunday night, boasting sustained winds reaching up to 185 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour. As the storm weakened while passing through mountainous regions and agricultural plains, it eventually moved away from the La Union province into the South China Sea, as indicated by state meteorologists.
Tragic incidents were reported, including drowning in flash floods in Catanduanes, a fatality due to a collapsed house in Catbalogan city, and multiple deaths caused by landslides in different provinces. Over 1.4 million people sought refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives before the typhoon hit, with around 318,000 individuals still housed in evacuation centers on Monday.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency due to the severe damages brought by Kalmaegi and the expected impact of Fung-wong. Cyclones with sustained winds of 185 kilometers or more are classified as super typhoons in the Philippines to emphasize the severity of such extreme weather disturbances.
Despite the devastation, the Philippines has not requested international aid post-Kalmaegi, although the United States and Japan expressed readiness to offer assistance. Schools and most government offices were closed, flights were canceled, and maritime activities were halted due to rough seas. The Philippines, being prone to natural disasters, faces numerous typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activities annually.