SRINAGAR: At least two people have been killed and more than one million evacuated from their homes across the Philippines as Typhoon Fung-Wong made landfall on the country’s east coast, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rain, Reuters reported.
The super-typhoon, the second major storm to strike the archipelago in less than a week, tore across the northern part of Luzon, the nation’s most populous island, with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and gusts reaching 140 mph (225 km/h). Officials warned of widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages as emergency services struggled to reach affected areas.
According to the civil defence office, one victim drowned in Catanduanes, while a 64-year-old woman was killed when her house collapsed in Catbalogan City. Rescuers said the woman had gone back inside to retrieve belongings when the structure gave way. “The wind was so strong and the rain was heavy,” said Juniel Tagarino, a local rescuer as per The Guardian.
The disaster struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated several provinces, killing at least 224 people and leaving 135 missing. Search and rescue operations for those victims were suspended on Sunday due to worsening weather conditions.
Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal regions to remain in shelters as the storm moves northward, warning that heavy rainfall could persist for several days.
