Isabela: The Philippines evacuated over 100,000 residents across its eastern and northern regions as Typhoon Fung-wong intensified on Sunday into a super typhoon ahead of its expected arrival later in the day, threatening to unleash torrential rains, destructive winds, and storm surges.
Storm alerts have been issued across large parts of the Philippines, with a level 5 warning of an extreme threat to life and property raised in parts of south-eastern Luzon, and the Metro Manila capital region and surrounding areas placed under level 3.
The Philippines is already clearing up the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which hit Cebu province last week. Credit: AP
With sustained winds of 185km/h and gusts of up to 230km/h, Super Typhoon Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon on Sunday night at the earliest.
Parts of Eastern Visayas region were already experiencing power outages.
Images shared by the Philippine Coast Guard from Camarines Sur province showed evacuees carrying bags and personal belongings as they transferred from long, narrow passenger boats to waiting trucks during pre-emptive evacuation operations.
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Some parts of Manila have suspended classes on Monday, while several shopping malls are offering free overnight parking, charging stations, and Wi-Fi for people affected by the typhoon, the 21st to hit the Philippines this year.
“We are strongly advising residents to participate in pre-emptive evacuations,” Marc Rembrandt Victore, from the Office of Civil Defence, told DZMM radio station.
Residents in the coastal and mountainous communities of Aurora province, which, on the current trajectory, is in the storm’s path, were advised to evacuate, Elson Egargue, provincial disaster agency chief, told DZMM.
