Super Typhoon Fung-wong hits Philippines, two dead, millions flee

By Manisha Sahu, America News World

November 10, 2025

  A ferocious typhoon has struck the Philippines, leaving devastation in its wake and highlighting once again the archipelago’s vulnerability to powerful storms. Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall Sunday night in the north of the country’s largest island, Luzon, packing sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph).

Unfolding disaster

The storm, locally known as “Uwan”, hit the northeastern province of Aurora, with provincial officials reporting at least two fatalities: one person drowned and another was trapped under debris.
Before landfall, authorities carried out large-scale evacuations: more than one million people were moved out of high-risk areas, including coastal zones and landslide-prone regions.
In the worst-hit areas, trees were uprooted, power lines snapped, and many communities were cut off by landslides and flood damage.

Why it hit hard

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had warned of the storm’s enormous size — its circulation spanned as much as 1,500 km (932 miles) wide — and its potential to affect much of the country. “It can cover almost the entire country,” a meteorologist was quoted as saying.
In the days prior, the Philippines was already beleaguered by another deadly typhoon, Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left at least 224 people dead. Fung-wong’s arrival so soon after has stretched disaster response and heightened risks.

Impact and response

Evacuation & shelters: Schools, government offices and airports were closed pre-emptively. Many evacuation centres were set up or expanded as authorities urged residents to move to higher ground or safer structures.

Damage & power loss: In provinces such as Aurora and Isabela, damage to homes and infrastructure was reported, with many areas left without electricity or with disrupted communication lines.

Flights & transport: Hundreds of flights were cancelled, ports and roads became inaccessible in some areas due to flooding and landslides.

Continuing threat: Though the typhoon is moving away and expected to weaken as it heads toward the South China Sea and eventually toward Taiwan, authorities say the danger remains — especially from flooding, storm surges and landslides.


Why this matters

This event underscores several pressing concerns:

Frequency & intensity of storms: The Philippines typically faces around 20 named storms a year, but experts say warming seas and climate change are driving stronger storms, heavier rainfall and larger storm surges.

Compounding disasters: The fact that Fung-wong struck so soon after Kalmaegi means that recovery efforts were still underway, increasing vulnerabilities and reducing margins for error in evacuation and response.

Geographic vulnerability: Much of the Philippines lies in a typhoon belt and has many low-lying, coastal or mountainous areas that are prone to flooding and landslides whenever a storm hits.


The way forward

Recovery and assessment have begun in earnest — but much remains to be done. Local governments are mapping inaccessible areas, clearing roads, restoring power and assessing damage to homes and livelihoods. International assistance has been offered, though a formal request had not been made at the time of reporting.
For residents, the priorities will be: safe shelter, access to clean water and medical services, restoration of communications and transportation, and rapid assessment so that rebuilding can begin as soon as possible.

Closing thoughts

For the Philippines, events like this are unfortunately not uncommon — but each one carries the potential for major human and economic cost. The arrival of Fung-wong — so soon after Kalmaegi — is a reminder of how persistent, escalating risks from storms impose burdens on individuals, communities and the national disaster-management apparatus. Vigilance, early evacuation, robust infrastructure and climate-resilient planning have never been more important.

I’ll continue to monitor developments and bring updates as damage assessments and relief efforts unfold.