Over a Million Evacuated in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-Wong Nears Landfall Manila, 9 November 2025 — Agence France-Presse

More than a million people have been evacuated and at least one person has died as floodwaters rise across the Philippines ahead of Super Typhoon Fung-Wong’s expected landfall on the country’s eastern coast.

The powerful storm is forecast to unleash fierce winds and torrential rains across much of the archipelago, just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi claimed over 220 lives.

Authorities on Sunday confirmed the first fatality linked to Fung-Wong — a 64-year-old woman who died while trying to flee her home in Catbalogan City. Rescuer Juniel Tagarino said her body was found beneath debris and fallen trees.

“The wind was so strong and the rain so heavy last night,” Tagarino told reporters. “Her family said she might have gone back inside for something she forgot. They realized she was missing when they were already about 50 meters away.”In Aurora province, where the eye of the storm is expected to strike, residents were busy fortifying their homes. Government employee Aries Ora, 34, said he was boarding up his house in Dipaculao with steel sheets and wooden panels.

“What really frightens us is that the landfall will happen at night,” Ora said. “We won’t be able to see what’s happening or how strong the winds are.”

Schools and government offices across Luzon, including the capital Manila, will remain closed on Monday, while nearly 300 flights have been cancelled.

Earlier Sunday, Catanduanes island—which forecasters warned could take a “direct hit”—was already being battered by heavy wind and rain. Storm surges sent waves crashing through streets, and floodwaters rose rapidly in several areas.

Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, said:

“As we speak, Catanduanes is already feeling the full impact of the typhoon, since the storm’s eye is closest to the island.”

Residents described the terrifying sounds of the storm. Edson Casarino, 33, of Virac town, said:

“The waves started roaring around 7am. When they slammed against the seawall, it felt like the ground was shaking.”

Verified videos showed a church in Virac half-submerged in floodwaters, while streets in Guinobatan, Albay province, turned into raging torrents.

Officials said nearly 1.2 million people had been evacuated nationwide as a precaution. Meteorologists warned that the typhoon could dump as much as 200 millimetres (8 inches) of rain in parts of the country.

Scientists have long cautioned that climate change is fueling stronger, wetter storms. Warmer oceans enable typhoons to intensify more rapidly, while a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture—leading to heavier rainfall and more severe flooding.

---

About Author