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Typhoon Fung-wong moves toward Taiwan after Philippines landfall kills two
A weakened Typhoon Fung-wong crossed into the South China Sea on Monday, heading toward Taiwan after striking the Philippines as a super typhoon, leaving two dead and widespread flooding in its wake, authorities reported.
Preemptive evacuations limit casualties
Nearly 1.4 million residents were evacuated ahead of the storm's arrival on Sunday, when it made landfall in Aurora province on Luzon-the Philippines' most populous island-with sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph). The typhoon weakened within hours but still caused significant damage, though far less than feared.
Officials credited early warnings and mass evacuations for preventing a higher death toll. Two fatalities were confirmed: one drowning and another woman killed by debris in Catbalogan City. Two others sustained injuries, while flooding isolated multiple communities, including four towns in Aurora where roads and bridges were washed out.
Power outages and lingering flooding
By Monday, much of Luzon remained without electricity, and floodwaters continued to cut off access to several neighborhoods. The storm's rapid weakening after landfall spared the region the catastrophic destruction seen in recent disasters, such as Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which killed over 6,000 people.
At evacuation centers, families with young children-some too young to remember past typhoons-expressed relief but lingering anxiety. "We were terrified because of how strong it was, and we have little kids," Jessa Zurbano told the BBC. Another evacuee, Patry Azul, noted her wooden home near the coast "wouldn't have stood a chance."
Back-to-back storms strain recovery efforts
Fung-wong's arrival followed Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 204 people in the Philippines last week and left over 100 missing. Vietnam also reported five deaths from Kalmaegi, with winds uprooting trees and demolishing structures. The back-to-back storms prompted the Philippine government to declare a nationwide state of calamity, unlocking emergency funds and expediting aid deliveries.
Climate change intensifies typhoon risks
The Philippines, situated in a Pacific cyclone hotspot, faces about 20 tropical storms annually, half of which make direct landfall. While climate change is not increasing the frequency of such storms, scientists warn that warmer oceans and atmosphere-fueled by global warming-can amplify their intensity, leading to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and greater flood risks.
"Our house is made of wood and flimsy materials. We live close to the sea, so we didn't feel safe."
Patry Azul, evacuee in Aurora province
Next steps
Authorities are assessing damage in cut-off areas and restoring power, while monitoring Fung-wong's trajectory toward Taiwan. Weekly reviews of water reserves and infrastructure repairs are planned as the region recovers from consecutive storms.
