Typhoon Fung-wong Impact in the Philippines
Typhoon Fung-wong has resulted in six fatalities in the Philippines. This event occurred days after a preceding storm had caused over 200 deaths in the nation.
Fung-wong, initially classified as a super typhoon, led to widespread flooding and landslides, which contributed to the reported deaths. The storm also caused power outages in multiple provinces before weakening to a typhoon. Over 1.4 million individuals were evacuated in the Philippines prior to Fung-wong's landfall. The typhoon subsequently proceeded towards Taiwan, prompting the evacuation of more than 3,000 people there. Fung-wong marked the 21st typhoon to impact the Philippines during the current year, occurring while the country was recovering from previous natural disasters.
Storm Details and Damage
Fung-wong, also identified as Uwan within the region, made landfall in Aurora province on Luzon on Sunday night. It was characterized by sustained winds of approximately 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 km/h. The Philippine meteorological service had issued warnings regarding destructive winds and a high risk of life-threatening storm surges associated with the typhoon.
In Cabanatuan, a city significantly affected by the typhoon, residents were observed attempting to retrieve belongings from their homes on Monday as water levels increased. While Fung-wong's wind speeds were lower than some historical storms in the Philippines, it delivered substantial rainfall. This resulted in approximately 4,100 houses being either completely destroyed or partially damaged.
Mercidita Adriano, a resident of Cabanatuan, stated that her family had prepared for the storm by trimming trees. During the intensification of winds and rain, ten family members sought refuge in a single room. A portion of their roof sustained damage due to the heavy rainfall. As of Tuesday morning, significant areas of the country remained submerged, although water levels had begun to recede.