Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the most powerful storm to threaten the Philippines this year, has begun pounding the country’s northeastern coast, leaving at least one person dead, causing widespread power outages, and forcing over 900,000 residents to evacuate. Authorities have issued urgent calls for those in high-risk areas to seek immediate shelter.
With an enormous 1,600 km (994-mile) rain and wind band capable of affecting nearly two-thirds of the archipelago, Fung-wong’s impact comes as the country is still reeling from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people earlier this week in the central provinces before moving on to Vietnam, where it claimed five more lives.
PAGASA issues heavy rainfall warning due to Super Typhoon #UwanPH as of 6:30 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 9, 2025).
RED WARNING LEVEL: Rizal, Metro Manila, Quezon(Panukulan, Burdeos, Polillo, Jomalig, Patnanungan, General Nakar, Tayabas, Infanta, Lucban, Lucena, Mauban, Pagbilao, Real,… pic.twitter.com/QYUu0edMPA
— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) November 9, 2025
According to meteorologists, Fung-wong could make landfall on Luzon, the Philippines’ main island, as early as Sunday night. More than 916,000 residents from vulnerable northeastern provinces, including the Bicol region, have been forced to flee. The area faces dual threats from strong cyclones and potential mudflows from the Mayon volcano.
During a televised address on Saturday, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. warned of the storm’s potentially catastrophic impact, noting that it could affect vast regions including Cebu province and metropolitan Manila, the nation’s capital and financial center.
Fung-wong, the 21st tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, is packing sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts reaching 230 km/h (140 mph). According to the Office of Civil Defence, more than 30 million people could be exposed to the storm’s hazards.
While the Philippines has not formally requested international assistance following Typhoon Kalmaegi, Secretary Teodoro mentioned that the United States and Japan may provide support if needed.
As the storm advanced, several eastern provinces reported power outages, according to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence.
Northern provinces along Fung-wong’s projected path have suspended classes and closed government offices for Monday and Tuesday as a precaution. The storm has also caused major transportation disruptions, including 325 domestic flight cancellations, 61 international flight cancellations, and over 6,600 passengers stranded at 109 seaports, where all maritime travel has been suspended.
