Philippines braces for the full impact of Super Typhoon Fung-wong. This impending storm is the most potent and most widespread threat to the nation so far this year. As it makes landfall, authorities have already evacuated over a million residents from at-risk areas, especially across the northern-eastern provinces. The storm is currently packing sustained winds of 185 kilometres per hour, with gusts that swirl at up to 230 kilometres per hour. It is forecast to come ashore over the shore of Aurora or Isabela province later today or early Monday.
Fung-wong’s huge rain and wind band stretches some 1,600 kilometres, enough to impact two-thirds of the South-East Asian archipelago. Emergency conditions due to severe weather are currently threatening over 30 million people. They are threatened by flash floods, landslides and coastal inundation.
Impact of Fung-wong
PHIVOLCS officials said before noon on Sunday, government forecasters spotted Fung-wong over open waters near Pandan in eastern Catanduanes province. The storm has already started to rake the north-eastern coast, causing widespread power outages and crippling transit systems.
Roberto Monterola, a disaster-mitigation officer for Catanduanes, said that the strength of the storm made visibility extremely low.
“The rain and wind were so strong there was nearly zero visibility.” – Roberto Monterola
On top of these visibility-related complications, local jurisdictions have been on the front lines of this unique disaster response. Monterola explained how their frontline personnel did a great job rescuing people who were caught up in the flood waters.
“Our personnel rescued 14 people who were trapped on the roof of a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” – Roberto Monterola
While communities prepare for the worst, thousands of residents along the N&O and elsewhere have already rung alarm bells about their homes being a danger to their lives. Monterola remembered one especially dramatic rescue when a father called, begging for help, because he was afraid that his family would be eaten.
“A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.” – Roberto Monterola
Government Response
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said swift evacuations would help avoid loss of life and injury from the approaching storm. He said local residents should continue to follow guidance from authorities and evacuate from locations vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
“We need to do this because when it’s already raining or the typhoon has hit and flooding has started, it’s hard to rescue people,” – Gilberto Teodoro Jr
Teodoro reassured that international support from the United States and Japan is forthcoming, should it be required. He underscored the potential seriousness of Fung-wong’s impact during live, televised statements on Saturday.
As communities prepare for the storm’s landfall, authorities are making every effort to ensure residents’ safety. Over a million people have been displaced from danger zone areas in volcanic threatened towns and cities in north-eastern provinces, including Bicol.
Ongoing Challenges
Fung-wong’s approach comes at a particularly challenging time for the Philippines. The island nation is just beginning to recover from the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which struck earlier this month. Yet, with the current recovery time still fresh, communities are left even more susceptible as they contend with a new and powerful natural disaster.
While many are hopeful that preparations will mitigate the storm’s impact, uncertainty looms as Fung-wong continues its aggressive path towards landfall. Louisiana’s focus is still on saving lives and keeping safety the priority as the storm approaches.
