The Philippines is confronting a major humanitarian crisis after Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall on Sunday, 9th November 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least two lives.
The powerful storm, which intensified rapidly, has forced the evacuation of more than one million people from their homes as it began battering the eastern and central regions of the country.
State of Emergency Declared
In response to the escalating situation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of emergency. The typhoon's fury has already resulted in widespread power outages and significant damage to infrastructure.
Officials confirmed the two fatalities: one person drowned in Catanduanes, while firefighters in Catbalogan City recovered the body of a woman trapped under the debris of her collapsed home.
Packing sustained winds of 115mph and gusts of up to 140mph, Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon, placing a vast expanse of the nation in peril.
Mass Evacuations and Warnings
Authorities had issued urgent evacuation orders for residents in high-risk villages, particularly in the northeastern provinces and the coastal Bicol region, which is notoriously vulnerable to Pacific cyclones.
Defence secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that the typhoon's impact could be felt across a wide area, including the capital Manila and Cebu. The latter province is still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed more than 200 people earlier in the week, with around 100 individuals still missing.
Mr Teodoro Jr made a public plea, urging residents to comply with evacuation orders. "We ask people to pre-emptively evacuate so that we don't end up having to conduct rescues at the last minute, which could put the lives of police, soldiers, firefighters and coast guard personnel at risk," he stated, emphasising that refusal was both dangerous and unlawful.
The Office of Civil Defence estimated that over 30 million people could be exposed to the hazards posed by the super typhoon.
On the Ground: Fear and Disruption
In Isabela in northern Luzon, the reality of the evacuation was clear as dozens of families sought shelter in a basketball court repurposed as an emergency centre.
"We're scared," said Christopher Sanchez, 50, who fled with his family. "We're here with our grandchildren and our kids. The whole family is in the evacuation area."
The storm's disruption extended to travel, with the civil aviation regulator confirming the cancellation of nearly 400 domestic and international flights.
As the nation braces for the full aftermath of Super Typhoon Fung-wong, the focus remains on rescue operations and providing essential aid to the millions affected.
