Philippines Evacuates Over a Million as ‘Super Typhoon’ Fung‑wong Looms
The Philippines has begun evacuating more than a million residents from coastal and mountainous zones in preparation for Super Typhoon Fung‑wong (locally named “Uwan”), anticipated to make landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon with sustained winds of around 185 km/h and gusts up to 230 km/h. Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Defense Secretary of the Philippines, warned that as many as 30 million people could be exposed to flooding, landslides and storm surges if the typhoon strikes full‑force. He said: “We need to do this because when it’s already raining or the typhoon has hit and flooding has started, it’s hard to rescue people.” In a region still recovering from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which earlier this week left at least 224 dead in the Philippines and five in Vietnam; this new storm threatens to further strain disaster response systems. Local residents described their fear. One evacuee in Isabela shared: “We’re scared. We’re here with our grandchildren and our kids.” Flights and seaports have been shut down in vulnerable regions including Bicol and areas around Manila. Power outages are already underway in provinces like Aurora, and emergency shelters have been opened; some set up in sports arenas converted into temporary accommodation centers. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast a 1,800‑kilometer‑wide rain and wind band sweeping across two‑thirds of the archipelago, with certain parts of Luzon expected to receive 100–200 mm of rain or more, raising immediate risks of flash floods and landslides. With disaster management resources already stretched, the government has mobilized military personnel and disaster relief units to assist in evacuation and relief operations. Authorities emphasized that compliance with evacuation orders is essential: “We ask that people preemptively evacuate so that we don’t end up having to conduct rescues at the last minute.” The country is bracing for what could become one of the most challenging storms of the year, testing the resilience of its emergency systems and the endurance of its communities.
| 2025-11-10 16:40:09