Ask Onix
Super Typhoon Fung-wong Kills Six in Philippines, Heads Toward Taiwan
At least six people have died after Super Typhoon Fung-wong tore through the Philippines, unleashing floods and landslides just days after another storm killed over 200. The typhoon, which made landfall Sunday night with winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), knocked out power across entire provinces before weakening as it moved toward Taiwan, where over 3,000 residents have been evacuated.
Evacuations and Devastation
More than 1.4 million people were preemptively relocated ahead of Fung-wong's arrival in the northern Philippines. The storm-locally named Uwan-struck Aurora province on Luzon island with sustained winds and gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph), triggering what meteorologists called "life-threatening" storm surges.
In Cabanatuan, one of the hardest-hit cities, residents scrambled to rescue belongings and pets as floodwaters rose. Mercidita Adriano, a local, told the BBC her family had trimmed trees in preparation, but their home's roof was still torn off when 10 relatives huddled in a single room, praying for safety. Over 4,100 houses were destroyed or damaged nationwide.
Back-to-Back Disasters Strain Recovery
Fung-wong marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, compounding crises in a region still reeling from Typhoon Kalmaegi-which devastated the same area days prior-and a magnitude-6.9 earthquake in Cebu last month. While floodwaters began receding Tuesday, vast areas remain submerged.
"This is not routine. It's a stark reminder of the escalating climate and seismic risks faced by vulnerable nations," the International Federation of Red Cross stated Sunday, urging "urgent support to scale up relief efforts."
Taiwan Braces for Impact
As Fung-wong weakens into a typhoon, it now threatens Taiwan, where authorities have evacuated over 3,000 residents. The storm's trajectory follows a pattern of intensifying extreme weather in Southeast Asia, where the Philippines-prone to natural disasters-faces mounting recovery challenges.
Key Figures
- 6+ deaths (Philippines, as of Nov 11)
- 1.4M evacuated (Philippines)
- 3,000+ evacuated (Taiwan)
- 4,100+ homes damaged/destroyed
- 21 typhoons in 2025 (Philippines)
