Typhoon Fung-wong Exits the Philippines, Causing Multiple Fatalities and Displacement
Typhoon Fung-wong moved away from the northwestern Philippines on Monday after triggering floods, landslides, and widespread power outages. The storm resulted in at least eight deaths and forced over 1.4 million people to leave their homes.
Storm Path and Impact
The typhoon was expected to continue northwest toward Taiwan following its departure from the Philippines.
Fung-wong struck the northeastern Aurora province late Sunday as a super typhoon, with sustained winds reaching 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 kph (143 mph). The storm, spanning 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles), weakened as it passed over northern mountainous provinces and agricultural lands before entering the South China Sea near La Union province.
Recent Typhoon Context
This event compounded the recent devastation from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which caused at least 224 deaths in central Philippines provinces on November 4 and later affected Vietnam, killing five people.
Casualties by Location
- Eastern province of Catanduanes: One person drowned in flash floods.
- Catbalogan city, Samar province: One death caused by a collapsed house.
- Nueva Vizcaya province: Three children were killed in two landslides; four others were injured.
- Barlig, Mountain Province: An elderly person died in a mudslide.
“Three children died in two separate landslides and four others were injured,” reported police to The Associated Press.
Officials confirmed the fatalities and injuries across the affected areas.
Summary
In just days, Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung-wong have caused extensive damage and loss of life in the Philippines, exacerbating the challenges faced by affected communities.
Author’s Note
The back-to-back typhoons have severely impacted the Philippines, highlighting the urgent need for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts in vulnerable regions.