BBC on Luzon Island as super typhoon nears Philippines

The Philippines is on high alert as Super Typhoon Fung Wong, upgraded to a super typhoon, approaches Luzon Island, forcing the evacuation of over a million residents amid warnings of life-threatening conditions. With sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 230 km/h, the storm is expected to make landfall on Sunday evening, bringing torrential rains and storm surges that threaten widespread flooding and landslides. Authorities have evacuated more than 900,000 people from high-risk coastal and low-lying areas, particularly in the Bicol region and eastern Luzon, where many have sought refuge in sports centers and churches. Despite repeated calls from officials, some residents have been reluctant to leave their homes, leading to emergency rescues in flood-engulfed neighborhoods, such as in Catanduanes where 14 people were saved from a rooftop. This crisis comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated parts of the Philippines, killing at least 204 people and leaving many missing, with rescue operations suspended as Fung Wong approaches. The government has declared a state of calamity, enabling faster access to emergency funds and resources, while defense officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders to avoid further tragedies. In affected areas like Aurora, residents report near-zero visibility and rising tides, with hotels secured and windows tied shut to withstand the winds, highlighting the immediate dangers faced by those who remain. The typhoon’s impact could expose over 30 million people to hazards, including metropolitan Manila, and climate change is intensifying such storms due to warmer oceans, making the Philippines increasingly vulnerable. As Fung Wong is forecast to weaken after landfall, the focus will shift to assessing damage and resuming aid, with international allies like the U.S. and Japan on standby to assist.