Philippines Braces for Impact as Super Typhoon Fung-wong Prompts Mass Evacuations
Manila, Philippines – Schools and government offices across the main island of Luzon, including the capital, Manila, have been ordered closed on Monday as Super Typhoon Fung-wong approaches. Nearly 300 flights have been cancelled in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.
The Philippines is bracing for potentially devastating conditions as Fung-wong nears, with over 1.2 million people preemptively evacuated nationwide. The storm is forecast to bring at least 200mm (8in) of rain to manny parts of the country, raising fears of widespread flooding and landslides. This event underscores the increasing vulnerability of the Philippines - and other nations in the region – to increasingly powerful storms fueled by the climate crisis.
Earlier Sunday, the island of Catanduanes experienced the storm’s initial impact, with strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges inundating coastal areas. Edson Casarino, a resident of Virac in Catanduanes, described the scene: “The waves started roaring around 7am. When the waves hit the seawall, it felt like the ground was shaking.” Video footage verified by AFP showed floodwaters reaching halfway up the entrance of a church in the town.
flooding has also been reported in the Bicol region of southern Luzon, and verified video from Guinobatan, Albay province, depicts streets transformed into raging torrents. Rafaelito Alejandro, a civil defense deputy administrator, confirmed that Catanduanes is currently experiencing the most notable impact, as the storm’s eye is closest to the island.
Scientists note that storms are becoming more powerful due to the human-driven climate crisis, with warmer oceans enabling rapid intensification and a warmer atmosphere holding more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall.
