Super Typhoon Fung-wong has resulted in the deaths of four people in the Philippines as authorities initiate damage assessments following the storm’s passage. The typhoon, one of the most powerful storms this year, made landfall on March 10, 2024, unleashing severe winds and heavy rainfall across the island of Luzon.
In preparation for the storm, over one million residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas. The most affected individuals reported a harrowing night as they sheltered from the howling winds and torrential rain. Romeo Mariano, a resident of Isabela, described the experience: “We could not sleep because of the winds hitting our metal sheets and tree branches falling. When we got out to check our home, we saw the damage.”
According to civil defense senior official Raffy Alejandro, initial reports indicate that the death toll may be limited. Two children tragically lost their lives due to a mudslide that buried their home in the northern town of Kayapa, located in Nueva Vizcaya. Additionally, two fatalities occurred as a result of drowning and fallen debris. Landslides in the Aurora province have also isolated at least four towns.
As of March 11, 2024, Typhoon Fung-wong’s wind speeds have decreased to between 130 km/h and 160 km/h, but the storm remains classified as a typhoon. Its trajectory is expected to move northeast towards Taiwan, where authorities are prepared for the impending weather. The storm’s outer bands continue to pose a risk of heavy rain and storm surges in coastal areas.
Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the Philippines this year, following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in 224 fatalities the previous week, including five deaths in Vietnam. With Fung-wong’s approach, the Taiwanese government has already ordered evacuations in Guangfu, an area still recovering from devastating floods caused by an earlier typhoon in September, which claimed the lives of 18 individuals.
The Philippine government continues to monitor the storm closely, ready to provide assistance and resources to affected regions as recovery efforts begin. Local communities remain on alert as Fung-wong’s outer bands may bring additional rainfall and potential hazards in the days ahead.
