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A second powerful typhoon named Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, is now threatening the Philippines, coming just days after the devastating Typhoon Kalmaegi. Over 900,000 people across 11 regions have been advised or forced to evacuate as the country braces for what could be a catastrophic storm. Fung-wong is expected to make landfall from Sunday evening, hitting key areas including Luzon—the most populous island where Manila is located—as well as the Visayas and Siargao islands. Damage has already been reported in Catanduanes province due to the typhoon’s strong winds. Authorities have declared a red alert, and thousands have sought refuge in public shelters like gymnasiums and theaters, with government agencies supplying food and essential aid.
Recovery efforts from the damage caused by Kalmaegi, which killed nearly 200 people and displaced tens of thousands, have been put on hold as all resources pivot towards preparing for Fung-wong. This marks the country's fourth significant typhoon in just seven weeks, compounded by two recent earthquakes, leaving communities and responders exhausted. The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) warns that despite their experience, the ongoing string of disasters is pushing their capacity to the limit. Funding for emergency response is also becoming scarce due to the sheer volume of calamities faced recently.
Meteorological agency PAGASA has upgraded Fung-wong to a super typhoon on its local scale, with maximum sustained winds reaching 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 kph (143 mph). While this qualifies as a super typhoon locally, it falls short of the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s threshold which requires winds above 240 kph (150 mph). The storm’s circulation is enormous, covering about 1,500 km (932 miles), and is already causing heavy rains and strong winds over a large portion of the country. Severe flooding and landslides are expected, especially along Luzon’s east coast, with rainfall forecasts exceeding 200 mm in the next 24 hours. Manila, too, faces significant flooding risks.
More than 300 flights within the Philippines have been canceled in anticipation of the storm, disrupting both domestic and international travel. This year alone, Fung-wong is the 21st named storm to affect the country, reflecting the intensity and frequency of typhoons hitting the region. The preceding Typhoon Kalmaegi was notably slow-moving and dumped torrential rains, causing many of the roughly 188 deaths by drowning, particularly in flood-prone Cebu province.
The Philippines' vulnerability to such disasters is worsened by issues such as clogged waterways and gaps in public understanding of early warning systems. Adding to the country’s woes is a massive corruption scandal linked to flood control projects, which has sparked public outrage. Experts highlight that the climate crisis, driven primarily by industrialized nations, is intensifying storms and making weather patterns more unpredictable. Warmer ocean temperatures fuel stronger typhoons with widespread rain bands that can cause flooding even far from the storm’s center. This evolving situation demands new approaches to disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines, as the traditional focus on landfall points no longer suffices.
