Storm Fung-wong sweeps everything in its path: the Philippines in ruins, Taiwan flooded

Photo: Reuters

A powerful tropical storm, Fung-wong, has reached Taiwan. A day earlier, it struck the Philippines as a super typhoon, causing fatalities and massive evacuations. Schools and government offices in Taiwan are closed, and thousands of residents from vulnerable areas have been relocated in advance. Forecasters warn of heavy rainfall, hurricane-force winds and the risk of flooding.

Destruction in the Philippines

Fung-wong hit the northeast of the Philippines over the weekend while still maintaining super-typhoon strength, reminds Travel and Tour World. Sustained winds reached 185 km/h, with gusts up to 230 km/h. The northern provinces suffered the worst destruction, as torrential rains triggered large-scale floods and landslides. Twenty-seven deaths have been confirmed. Nineteen of them were in the mountainous Cordillera region, which is particularly vulnerable during heavy rainfall. Several others were killed by flash floods and the collapse of a residential building. Twenty-nine people were injured.

Around 1.4 million residents were affected. More than one million were forced to leave their homes. About 803,000 people were sheltered in over 11,000 evacuation centres across northern Luzon. Authorities continue assessing damage to roads, residential districts and infrastructure. Rescue and recovery work is ongoing in the affected areas.

Risks for China

China has activated emergency measures in the southeastern provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang and on Hainan Island. Meteorological agencies are tracking the storm’s path, considering the likelihood of heavy rain and strong winds along coastal areas.

Monitoring services have been strengthened in potentially affected regions, and residents have received safety advisories. Additional resources are prepared in case evacuations or temporary shelters become necessary.

Evacuations in Taiwan

In the initial phase, Taiwan evacuated more than 3,000 people across four counties and cities. Among them were residents of Guangfu, an area that has already faced similar risks. In September, a barrier lake burst there, killing 18 people. Authorities chose to remove residents from districts where repeat flooding is possible.

Schools and government offices are closed in Hualien and Yilan counties. The Central Weather Administration has issued warnings for the southern and southwestern regions, including Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Tainan and Taitung. Residents are urged to stay indoors, prepare supplies, keep documents at hand and follow safety instructions.

Affected areas

On November 12, Taiwan had already evacuated more than 8,300 people, reports Reuters. Despite losing much of its strength, Fung-wong brought record rainfall to the eastern coast and triggered widespread flooding. In Yilan County, water reached neck height in some areas, requiring military involvement in rescue efforts. Most schools and businesses in the island’s south were closed. Fifty-one people were injured.

More than 1,000 homes in the coastal town of Suao were flooded. The town received 648 mm of rain in a single day — a November record. Residents say the water rose almost instantly. They continue clearing mud and debris from their homes. Emergency services note that most evacuees came from Yilan and Hualien counties. Heavy rainfall was intensified by a northern monsoon combined with an unusually late typhoon.

Changing seasonal patterns

Moving along the coast, Fung-wong is expected to brush past the southern tip of Taiwan before shifting into the Pacific Ocean. Forecasters note that the island’s north, including Hsinchu — home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker — will not be directly affected.

Meteorologists say seasonal patterns are changing. Huang En-hong, a senior forecaster at the Central Weather Administration, explained that summers in the region have become longer and typhoons tend to form later. He acknowledges that extreme rainfall may be linked to climate change, but emphasises that further research is needed. Experts advise travelers to plan their trips more carefully and take weather-related risks in their chosen destinations into account.