Taiwan Evacuates Thousands Ahead of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong After Philippines Death Toll Rises
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Residents of Taiwan woke Tuesday to ominous headlines as tropical storm Fung-Wong approached, prompting evacuations and closures across vulnerable areas. Meteorologists warned that, despite weakening from its earlier typhoon status, Fung-Wong could still trigger unexpected flooding and landslides, particularly in regions already weakened by prior storms.
Taiwanese authorities evacuated more than 3,300 residents and closed schools and government offices in preparation for the storm, which has already claimed at least 25 lives and displaced over 1.4 million people in the Philippines. Landfall in Taiwan is expected Wednesday afternoon or evening near the southwestern port city of Kaohsiung.
As of Tuesday morning, Fung-Wong was producing sustained winds of up to 108 kph (67 mph) with gusts reaching 137 kph (85 mph). The Central Weather Bureau expects the storm to sweep across the island, exiting through the northeastern coast Wednesday evening or early Thursday.
Evacuations targeted residents from four counties near Guangfu Township, where flooding from a September typhoon caused a barrier lake to overflow, killing 18 people. Schools and government offices in Hualien and Yilan counties were closed, and a land warning was issued for southern and southwestern areas, including Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Tainan, and Taitung.
Meanwhile, China activated its emergency typhoon response across southeastern provinces, including Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Hainan.
Impact in the Philippines
Fung-Wong struck the Philippines’ northeastern coast on Sunday as a super typhoon, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 kph (143 mph). The 1,800-kilometer (1,100-mile) storm caused flash floods and landslides, killing at least 18 people in northern provinces.
More than a million people remain displaced, including roughly 803,000 sheltering in 11,000 evacuation centers across northern Luzon, according to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy director of the Office of Civil Defense.
The majority of fatalities occurred in the mountainous Cordillera region, where 19 people died in landslides, and two remain missing. Additional deaths were caused by flash floods, exposed electrical wires, and collapsed homes, while 29 people sustained injuries. Among the victims were three children in Nueva Vizcaya buried in landslides, leaving four others injured. A separate landslide in Kalinga province claimed two lives. Alejandro emphasized that casualties were spread across multiple locations rather than concentrated in a single area.
Both the Philippines and Taiwan are frequently affected by typhoons and tropical storms, in addition to being located in seismically active regions. These recurring natural hazards underscore the importance of disaster preparedness and robust support systems.
Conclusion
Tropical storm Fung-Wong continues to threaten Taiwan while leaving a trail of destruction in the Philippines. Thousands have been evacuated, infrastructure remains at risk, and weather patterns remain unpredictable. Authorities stress vigilance and readiness as the region confronts the ongoing challenges posed by severe storms and natural disasters.