Philippines prepares for Typhoon Fung-wong following a previous storm that resulted in over 200 fatalities.
As Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaks havoc across Southeast Asia, the catastrophic aftermath serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly in the face of escalating climate change. With hundreds reported dead and thousands displaced, citizens in the Philippines and Vietnam now brace for the looming threat of Typhoon Fung-wong, which threatens to compound the devastation. The resilience of local communities will be paramount as they navigate this crisis, showcasing their strength in times of adversity.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of devastation across Southeast Asia, claiming hundreds of lives in the Philippines and at least five in Vietnam, with homes flattened, trees uprooted, and power knocked out for millions. Rescue operations were suspended, and mass evacuations began on Saturday as another storm, Typhoon Fung-wong, approached the Philippines, just days after Kalmaegi caused casualties that have now reached at least 204.
Authorities have warned that Fung-wong, expected to strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall, could affect nearly the entire country. A meteorologist indicated that its wide radius means it could cover almost all areas of the Philippines. Officials have urged residents in coastal and low-lying regions to seek safety, fearing additional flooding and landslides following last week’s destruction.
Emergency shelters have been prepared nationwide as the nation braces for what could be one of the season’s most powerful storms. In the Philippines, particularly in Cebu province, grief and exhaustion are palpable in the wake of Kalmaegi’s destruction. Families are seen mourning over rows of white coffins, commemorating loved ones lost to landslides and floods.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national emergency as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches, emphasizing that the sheer volume of rainfall exceeded flood defenses, compelling residents to seek refuge on rooftops for safety. The Office of Civil Defense reports that Kalmaegi has displaced over half a million people, with nearly 450,000 seeking shelter in evacuation centers or with relatives. Rescue crews continue to search for more than 100 individuals who remain missing.
In Vietnam, state media reported five fatalities, including three in Dak Lak province and two in Gia Lai, as well as three people missing in Quang Ngai city. This storm has damaged nearly 2,600 homes, leaving over 1.6 million households without power. In Quy Nhon, residents returned to find debris scattered across the streets, with shopkeepers attempting to salvage soaked goods.
Authorities noted that more than 537,000 Vietnamese had been evacuated ahead of the storm, with Kalmaegi dumping as much as 600mm (24 inches) of rain before weakening into a tropical storm and moving into Cambodia. The Philippines and Vietnam, two of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, face typhoons almost annually. However, scientists caution that climate change is resulting in stronger and more frequent storms, intensifying the risks to these communities.
Kristen Corbosiero, an atmospheric sciences professor at the University at Albany, revealed that Kalmaegi ranks as the fourth-strongest typhoon of the current season. She underscored that the warm waters, which serve as fuel for these storms, persist nearly year-round, warning that rising sea temperatures are exacerbating their destructive capacity.
#WorldNews #MiddleEastNews
