A second typhoon in just a week is making its way toward the Philippines, prompting urgent evacuation orders for over 900,000 residents as they brace for severe winds and potential life-threatening storm surges. Typhoon Fung-wong, locally referred to as Uwan, follows closely on the heels of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which recently left nearly 200 people dead in the central regions of the archipelago, along with five fatalities in Vietnam.
As of Sunday, nearly 920,000 individuals have been evacuated across 11 regions, according to the Philippines’ Presidential Communications Office. Butch Meily, president of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), remarked on the overwhelming nature of these successive emergencies, stating, “People are a little shellshocked,” noting that this marks the nation’s fourth major typhoon alongside two earthquakes within a mere seven weeks.
Fung-wong is projected to make landfall Sunday evening, impacting the eastern and northern areas of the country, including Luzon, the most populated island that houses Manila, as well as the Visayas islands and Siargao, a popular surfing destination. The typhoon’s approach has already wreaked havoc in Catanduanes province, causing significant early damage.
Authorities remain in a heightened state of readiness. Rex Gatchalian, Social Welfare Secretary, confirmed to CNN that shelters have already been set up in gyms, theaters, and government buildings, providing food and essentials to displaced families. Some households are being forcibly evacuated to ensure safety.
The ongoing recovery efforts in areas affected by Kalmaegi, particularly in Cebu and Davao, have been interrupted as resources are redirected to prepare for Fung-wong. A 24-hour operation center near Manila is coordinating relief efforts. However, Meily expressed concerns that funds are beginning to dwindle due to the high frequency of emergencies.
PAGASA, the country’s meteorological agency, has classified Fung-wong as a super typhoon with maximum wind speeds reaching 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 kph (143 mph), although it still falls short of the super-typhoon threshold used by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The storm’s expansive circulation, which measures approximately 1,500 km (932 miles), is poised to affect virtually the entire nation, threatening landslides and significant flooding, particularly along Luzon’s eastern coast.
With forecasts predicting heavy rainfall of over 200 mm in the next 24 hours, Manila is on high alert as well. The Civil Aviation Authority has reported that more than 300 domestic and international flights have been canceled due to the impending storms.
The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, with Fung-wong marking the 21st named storm of the year. The devastating effects of Kalmaegi are still fresh in the minds of many as it caused significant destruction in Cebu, a region that was already grappling with the effects of a recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the country faces broader challenges pertaining to effective flood control and disaster response. A scandal involving corruption around flood control projects has led to public protests, raising questions about resource management in times of crisis.
The climate crisis poses a continuing threat, as scientists note that human activities are driving changes in weather patterns, resulting in more intense storms that impact vulnerable populations in regions like the Philippines. Meily pointed out that formerly, disaster response focused more on where storms made landfall; however, the wide rain bands now necessitate a more holistic approach to address flooding in areas far from the storm’s centre.
As the nation prepares for Fung-wong, the resilience of the Filipino people is on display. With community support and effective disaster management, there remains hope that recovery efforts can mitigate the impacts, leading to a safer future for those who have been affected.