MANILA — Less than a week after one of the deadliest storms in recent memory tore through the Philippines, the nation is now bracing for another potentially catastrophic typhoon. Typhoon Fung Wong, locally known as Uwan, is forecast to strengthen into a super typhoon with sustained winds exceeding 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph)before slamming into the island of Luzon as early as Sunday evening, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The storm arrives on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which devastated large swaths of the country earlier in the week, killing at least 204 people and leaving more than 100 missing, government officials confirmed. The new storm threatens to compound the destruction, disrupting recovery operations and displacing thousands of already vulnerable residents.
Emergency Measures and Evacuations
Authorities have ordered mass evacuations in coastal and low-lying areas, including the island province of Catanduanes and parts of southern Luzon. “Evacuations must be completed by Sunday morning at the latest,” a Civil Defense spokesperson said, warning that rescue efforts will be impossible once winds and rains intensify. Schools across the region have suspended classes, while Philippine Airlines has canceled several domestic flights in anticipation of dangerous weather conditions.
Residents in Sorsogon, one of the provinces expected to face direct impact, began taking shelter on Saturday night. “The floods last time were terrifying. I just want to keep my family safe,” said Norlito Dugan, who evacuated to a local church. Another resident, Maxine Dugan, said the sea waves near her coastal home were already “huge and violent.”
Source: GDACS
Regional and International Response
Neighboring Vietnam also reported casualties—at least five deaths—from Typhoon Kalmaegi earlier in the week, where powerful winds uprooted trees and shattered windows. International relief organizations, including the Red Cross and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have expressed concern over the escalating crisis, warning that continuous storms could strain local disaster-response systems and supply chains.
The Philippine government has declared a nationwide state of calamity, granting agencies access to emergency funds and enabling faster procurement of essential supplies. “We are focusing on immediate relief and preventive measures,” a government spokesperson said. “Our goal is zero casualties from this incoming storm.”
Climate and Global Context
Meteorologists note that while climate change does not necessarily increase the number of tropical cyclones, warmer ocean temperatures are fueling stronger storms. “We’re observing more intense systems forming over the Pacific,” said Dr. Leni Vargas, a climate scientist at the University of the Philippines. “These super typhoons are consistent with the warming patterns linked to global climate change.”
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the Philippines experiences about 20 tropical cyclonesannually—half of which make landfall. With each passing year, scientists warn, the combination of rising sea levels and extreme rainfall is heightening the risk of catastrophic flooding.
As Typhoon Fung Wong barrels toward Luzon, millions of Filipinos brace for another test of endurance in a nation that remains on the frontline of the world’s climate emergency. (hb)