Manila: The Philippines has begun large-scale evacuations as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong barrels toward the archipelago, intensifying into one of the strongest storms of the year. Over 100,000 residents have been moved to safety from coastal and low-lying areas as the government braces for potentially catastrophic winds, torrential rain, and widespread flooding.
According to the state weather bureau, Fung-Wong rapidly strengthened overnight, packing sustained winds exceeding 240 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching nearly 300 km/h. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the eastern provinces of Samar and Bicol early Monday before cutting a destructive path through the central Philippines. Authorities have warned of storm surges up to five meters and rainfall intense enough to trigger landslides in mountainous regions.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered all emergency services, local governments, and military units to coordinate evacuation efforts and preposition relief supplies. “Our priority is saving lives,” he said in a televised address, urging communities in at-risk areas to comply with mandatory evacuation orders. Classes, flights, and sea travel have been suspended across several regions as precautionary measures.
Disaster management officials confirmed that over 500 evacuation centers have been opened, offering food, water, and medical assistance to displaced families. Power utilities and telecommunication providers have been placed on high alert to ensure rapid response to any infrastructure damage once the storm hits.
Meteorologists warn that Fung-Wong’s strength rivals that of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines in 2013. “The atmospheric conditions warm sea temperatures and low wind shear have allowed this system to intensify very quickly,” said PAGASA meteorologist Esperanza del Rosario. “The threat level is extreme, and the next 48 hours will be critical.”
The government has also coordinated with international humanitarian agencies for post-storm relief operations, anticipating heavy damage to crops, homes, and transport networks. The Philippines, located within the Pacific typhoon belt, faces around 20 tropical cyclones annually, but few reach the destructive potential currently posed by Fung-Wong.
As night falls, heavy rain and fierce winds have already begun battering the eastern coast. Local radio stations continue to broadcast emergency advisories, and church bells are ringing in several provinces a traditional call for communities to take shelter. With rescue teams on standby and hospitals on high alert, the nation now braces for another test of resilience against nature’s fury.