Over 1 Million Evacuated as Super Typhoon Fung-wong (230 km/h Gusts) Slams Philippines

The Philippines is bracing for catastrophic damage after Super Typhoon Fung-wong (known locally as Uwan) brought destructive winds and heavy rain, prompting the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency.

The storm, which recorded devastating gusts of up to 230 km/hr, forced the pre-emptive evacuation of more than one million people across the country. Early reports confirm at least two deaths have been attributed to the storm so far.

The severity of the storm is underscored by its categorization. Tropical cyclones with sustained winds of 185 km/hr or higher are classified in the Philippines as a super typhoon, a designation adopted years ago to highlight the urgency of extreme weather.

The expected calamity from Fung-wong led President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to declare a state of emergency, compounding the extensive devastation caused by the earlier Typhoon Kalmaegi. Officials are warning residents to prepare for heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, and dangerous landslides.

Due to the extreme conditions, the Australian Embassy in Manila confirmed its closure today. The Australian government urged its citizens to monitor the Philippine weather agency (PAGASA) and expect major disruptions to transport, including flight cancellations.

Would you like to know the difference between a Typhoon and a Super Typhoon?