Key Highlights
- Nearly a million people evacuate as Super Typhoon Fung-wong hits the Philippines.
- Fung-wong is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province on Sunday night with sustained winds of 115mph and gusts up to 140mph.
- More than 200 people were killed by earlier typhoon Kalmaegi, and around 100 are still missing.
- Aurora, Bicol, Manila, and Cebu are among the areas most at risk of being affected by Fung-wong.
Super Typhoon Fung-wong Hits the Philippines: Nearly a Million Evacuated
Nearly a million people have been evacuated as Super Typhoon Fung-wong, one of the strongest storms to hit the Philippines in recent years, started battering the country’s eastern coast. The typhoon, which has intensified into a super typhoon with sustained winds of 115mph and gusts up to 140mph, is expected to make landfall in Aurora province by Sunday night.
Super Typhoon Fung-wong poses significant risks to the Philippines, particularly to areas such as Aurora, Bicol, Manila, and Cebu. Defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that the typhoon could affect a vast expanse of the country, including the capital city, Manila, and Cebu, which was hit hardest by the deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi just days ago.
Aftermath of Previous Typhoons
The Philippines is still grappling with the consequences of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed more than 200 people earlier this week. Around 100 individuals are still missing as a result of this typhoon. The current evacuation efforts and warnings from officials underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Filipinos in dealing with severe weather events.
Government Urges Pre-emptive Evacuation
In an effort to mitigate potential risks, Defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr urged residents living in high-risk villages in northeastern provinces to heed evacuation orders. “We ask people to pre-emptively 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,” he stated during a public address.
The Office of Civil Defence has estimated that more than 30 million people could be exposed to hazards posed by Super Typhoon Fung-wong. As of Sunday, November 9, 2025, nearly 400 domestic and international flights have been cancelled due to the storm’s impact.
Impact on Local Communities
In Isabela in northern Luzon, dozens of families were sheltering at a basketball court repurposed as an evacuation centre. “We’re scared,” said Christopher Sanchez, 50, who fled his home with his family. “We’re here with our grandchildren and our kids. The whole family is in the evacuation area.”
The typhoon has also caused widespread power outages, disrupting daily life across various regions of the Philippines. As Fung-wong approaches landfall, authorities are working to prepare for potential flooding and strong winds that could further impact communities already recovering from earlier storms.
