Philippines struck by ‘severe’ typhoon as close to a million flee

The storm struck as a super typhoon, featuring sustained winds of about 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 km/h (143 mph).

The center of the storm impacted Aurora province in Luzon – the most populated island in the nation – at 21:10 local time (13:10 GMT). By 02:00, the storm decreased in intensity to a typhoon and was located over La Union in western Luzon.

The national meteorological agency cautioned about damaging winds and a “high-risk of life-threatening” storm surges from the “extremely intense” typhoon.

Fung-wong – referred to locally as Uwan – follows shortly after the previous storm Kalmaegi resulted in nearly 200 fatalities.

Eastern areas of the Philippines had begun to feel heavy rains and gusty winds on Saturday evening, according to a weather official.

Residents in Catanduanes, an island located in the eastern Bicol region, along with others in low-lying and coastal regions, were advised to seek higher ground by Sunday morning.

The storm moved close to the eastern Bicol region on Sunday morning, then proceeded past the Polillo Islands on Sunday afternoon.

The civil defense agency reported one drowning incident and firefighters found the body of a woman who was trapped under debris in Catbalogan City.

Several airports have been closed by the civil aviation authority, resulting in nearly 300 flight cancellations.

Fung-wong was anticipated to decrease in intensity after landfall, but is expected to remain a typhoon as it progresses over Luzon.

More than 200mm of rainfall is predicted for certain areas of Luzon, with 100-200mm projected in the Metro Manila region. This could lead to severe flooding and landslides.

In the Aurora area, located in eastern Luzon, BBC News talked to Hagunoy, 21, who is employed at one of the several hotels situated along the Sabang coastline.

He mentioned that police had frequently visited in recent days to make sure all guests were displaced prior to the storm. The hotels were all vacant by Sunday morning.

Though the tide had surged significantly, Hagunoy stated he would remain as long as possible to safeguard the property before driving his motorbike to safety.

Staff had locked the gates and fastened windows with ropes to attempt to prevent the glass from breaking in the wind.

In central Aurora, over 200 individuals arrived at a shelter located in a sports complex. Many parents brought young children who are too young to recall Typhoon Haiyan, which claimed more than 6,000 lives when it hit the Philippines in 2013.

“We felt a great deal of anxiety due to the typhoon’s intensity, and we have young children to consider,” Jessa Zurbano shared with the BBC.

Another evacuee, Patry Azul, remarked: “Our home is constructed from wood and fragile materials. Living near the sea, we felt unsafe.”

Fung-wong has also halted rescue efforts after the passage of Kalmaegi, one of the most powerful typhoons this year.

Intense rainfall created streams of mud cascading down hillsides into residential neighborhoods. Some impoverished areas were devastated by rapidly advancing flash floods.

Currently, at least 204 fatalities are attributed to the earlier storm in the Philippines, while over 100 remain unaccounted for.

Five additional deaths occurred in Vietnam, where strong winds uprooted trees, removed roofs, and shattered large windows.

The government of the Philippines has declared a state of calamity throughout the nation following Typhoon Kalmaegi and in anticipation of the approaching storm.

This has empowered government entities to access emergency funding and expedite the delivery of essential goods and services.

For many Filipinos, the devastation caused by Kalmaegi has induced heightened anxiety regarding the impending storm.

“We opted to evacuate due to the flooding from the recent typhoon, and my priority is my family’s safety,” Norlito Dugan informed the AFP news agency.

He is among those seeking refuge in a church located in Sorsogon City in Luzon.

Another local, Maxine Dugan, stated: “I’m here because the waves by my house have become enormous.”

The Philippines, situated in the vicinity where tropical weather systems of the Pacific Ocean develop, ranks as one of the most cyclone-prone countries globally.

Approximately 20 tropical cyclones are generated in that region each year, with half of them making direct impacts on the nation.

While climate change is not believed to increase the overall number of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones worldwide,

the interaction of warmer oceans with a warmer atmosphere – driven by climate change – can amplify the intensity of those that do develop. This may result in stronger winds, increased rainfall, and an elevated risk of coastal flooding.