AFP via Getty ImagesThe Philippines is bracing for the landfall of another potentially devastating typhoon, less than a week after another storm killed at least 200 people and left a trail of destruction.
Fung-wong, known locally as Uwan, is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon with sustained wind speeds of at least 185 km/h (115 mph) before making landfall on Luzon island as early as Sunday evening local time.
Officials said Typhoon Fungung could be more powerful than its predecessor, Kalmaegi, which struck the country on Tuesday.
The storm will also bring heavy rain and the risk of life-threatening storm surge, according to the Philippine Meteorological Administration (Pagasa).
Several schools canceled or moved classes online for Monday, and Philippine Airlines canceled a number of local flights ahead of their arrival.
Typhoon Pung Wong is expected to weaken rapidly once it makes landfall, but is likely to remain a typhoon as it moves over Luzon.
Areas in the eastern Philippines have already begun to experience heavy rain and winds, Pagasa officials said at a briefing Saturday evening local time.
Most of the country is expected to be affected, but there is particular concern about areas that could be directly hit, including Catanduanes, a small island off the southern coast of Luzon.
Residents here and other low-lying and coastal areas were urged to move to higher ground before the storm.
A Civil Defense spokesman said evacuations should take place no later than Sunday morning and should not be attempted during heavy rain and strong winds.
Typhoon Pungwoong also suspended rescue activities following the passage of Kalmaegi, one of the strongest typhoons of the year.
Heavy rain sent mud pouring down hillsides and residential areas. Some poor areas were wiped out by fast-moving flash floods.
In the Philippines, at least 204 people are now known to have died as a result of the initial storm, and more than 100 are missing.
In Vietnam, strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and broke large windows, killing five people.
The Philippine government has declared a nationwide state of disaster following Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the upcoming storm.
This gives government agencies more power to access emergency funds and quickly procure and deliver essential goods and services to those who need them.
Some Filipinos have become more anxious about the coming storm following the damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi earlier this week.
“I decided to evacuate because the recent typhoon caused flooding in our area. Now I want to keep my family safe,” Norlito Dugan told AFP.
He was one of those who took refuge in a church in Sorsogon City, Luzon.
“I came here because the waves near my house were so big,” said Maxine Dugan, another resident. “I live near the coast. The winds there are very strong now and the waves are big.”
The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to tropical cyclones due to its location in the Pacific Ocean, where weather systems form.
About 20 tropical cyclones form in the region each year, half of which directly affect the country.
Climate change is not thought to increase the number of hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones globally.
But warmer oceans, combined with a warmer atmosphere due to climate change, are likely to make the oceans that form more intense. This could potentially lead to higher wind speeds, more rainfall and an increased risk of coastal flooding.
