A super typhoon, known as Fung-wong locally as Uwan, has resulted in at least six fatalities in the Philippines, shortly after an earlier storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi, caused over 200 deaths. Fung-wong, which made landfall in Aurora province on Luzon, featured maximum sustained winds of approximately 185 km/h (115 mph) with gusts reaching 230 km/h. The typhoon led to significant flooding and landslides, prompting extensive power outages across several provinces.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, more than 1.4 million residents were evacuated. The typhoon is now expected to move toward Taiwan, where over 3,000 people have been evacuated as a precaution. With this incident, Fung-wong becomes the 21st typhoon to strike the Philippines this year, during a period when many citizens are still recovering from recent disasters.
Residents in areas such as Cabanatuan, one of the hardest-hit cities, faced urgent challenges as floodwaters rose, forcing many to salvage belongings. The heavy rain associated with Fung-wong resulted in approximately 4,100 homes being either completely destroyed or partially damaged.
In addition to these events, the Philippines has experienced a series of natural disasters, including a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu in September. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated that while the Philippines is accustomed to natural disasters, the frequency and severity of recent events are unusual. They emphasized the need for urgent support to enhance relief efforts and assist recovery from the ongoing challenges posed by climate and seismic threats.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rjyxv9472o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss