**Super Typhoon Fung-wong Strikes the Philippines: Over 1.4 Million Evacuated, At Least Two Dead**
Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in northeastern Aurora province in the Philippines on Sunday night, bringing sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 kph (143 mph). The powerful storm forced more than 1.4 million people to evacuate and has claimed at least two lives, according to the Associated Press.
### Typhoon Fung-wong Arrives Amid Ongoing Recovery
Covering approximately 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) with its rain and wind bands, Fung-wong struck while the Philippines was still reeling from Typhoon Kalmaegi. Kalmaegi killed at least 224 people earlier in the week before moving on to Vietnam, where an additional five deaths were reported.
In response to the back-to-back disasters, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday as Manila continued to recover from Kalmaegi’s damage and braced for Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan.
### Casualties and Ongoing Impact
One person drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes province, while a 64-year-old woman died in Catbalogan City (Eastern Samar) after being pinned by debris during her evacuation.
Over 1.4 million residents relocated to emergency shelters or relatives’ homes before the typhoon’s landfall. As of Monday, approximately 318,000 people remained in evacuation centers. Severe flooding affected at least 132 northern villages, leaving some residents stranded on rooftops. More than 1,000 homes were damaged, and numerous roads remain blocked by landslides, awaiting clearing as conditions improve.
Entire provinces lost power as destructive winds battered northern and central Luzon. Luzon, the country’s largest and most populated island, saw over 200 millimeters of rainfall, causing widespread flooding and landslides, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The most severe warnings were issued for Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Camarines Norte provinces.
### Transportation Disruptions and School Closures
The storm’s impact paralyzed transportation, with more than 300 domestic and 61 international flights canceled over the weekend and into Monday. Approximately 6,600 commuters and cargo workers were stranded at over 100 ports after the coast guard ordered ships to stay docked due to rough seas.
Schools and most government offices closed on Monday and Tuesday as rescue and relief operations continued.
### Typhoon Weakens, Moves Toward Taiwan
Fung-wong weakened as it crossed mountainous northern provinces and agricultural plains, moving away from La Union province into the South China Sea. The typhoon is forecast to head northwest toward Taiwan, likely making landfall over western Taiwan on Thursday. It is expected to rapidly weaken over Taiwan and emerge near the Ryukyu Islands as a remnant low or weak tropical depression.
### What Officials Are Saying
**Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Office of Civil Defense:**
“While the typhoon has passed, its rains still pose a danger in certain areas in northern Luzon, including in metropolitan Manila. We’ll undertake today rescue, relief and disaster-response operations.”
**Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.:**
“We ask that people preemptively evacuate so that we don’t end up having to conduct rescues at the last minute, which could put the lives of police, soldiers, firefighters and coast guard personnel at risk.”
### What’s Next?
Authorities will continue clearing blocked roads, assessing damage, and conducting rescue operations as weather conditions improve.
_Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article._
https://www.newsweek.com/super-typhoon-fung-wong-leaves-millions-displaced-2-dead-11019353