Philippines Pauses Search as Super Typhoon Fung-wong Nears; Evacuations Underway After Deadly Kalmaegi

Rescue operations suspended as powerful Fung-wong approaches

Rescue teams in the Philippines temporarily suspended search-and-recovery work and carried out preemptive evacuations on Saturday as Typhoon Fung-wong barreled toward the country, only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction that killed at least 204 people.

Government meteorologist Benison Estareja warned Fung-wong could strengthen into a super typhoon before landfall and has an unusually large footprint; its radius could cover "almost the entire country." "Aside from the strong winds, we can also expect heavy rains ... 200 millimetres (eight inches) or higher rainfall, which can cause widespread flooding, not just in low-lying areas," Estareja told reporters. "It's also possible that our major river basins will overflow."

As of 11 a.m. (0300 GMT) Saturday, the storm was tracking westward toward Luzon with sustained winds of 140 kph and gusts up to 170 kph. Authorities expected Fung-wong to make landfall in Aurora province by late Sunday or early Monday.

Local preparations and warnings

In coastal Aurora province, rescue teams went door to door urging residents to move to higher ground. "We are preemptively evacuating people in areas that may be high-risk for flooding," provincial rescuer Elson Egargue told AFP.

On Catanduanes, a small island that the weather service said could take a "direct hit," residents secured houses and tied down roofs. "They decided to do our tradition of strapping down the roofs with big ropes and anchoring them on the ground, so they won't be blown away by the wind," provincial rescue official Roberto Monterola said.

Impact of recent Typhoon Kalmaegi

Earlier this week, Typhoon Kalmaegi swept through Cebu province and other areas, sending floodwaters rushing through towns and sweeping away vehicles, riverside shanties and even large shipping containers. According to government figures and the EM-DAT disaster database, Kalmaegi is the deadliest storm of 2025 so far: it has killed at least 204 people and left 109 missing nationwide. At least five additional deaths were reported as the system moved into Vietnam.

Because of the imminent arrival of Fung-wong, officials in the province that suffered nearly 70% of Kalmaegi's deaths ordered a halt to search-and-rescue operations to protect crews. "We were ordered to temporarily stop the search, rescue and retrieval at 3 pm today," rescue official Myrra Daven said. "We cannot risk the safety of our rescuers. We don't want them to be the next casualties." The provincial tally of 57 people still missing is expected to rise as many areas remain inaccessible and roads are blocked by debris and landslides.

Authorities' message and public safety advice

Officials farther north, in Fung-wong's projected path, have focused on evacuation and preparedness to avoid further loss of life. "We are hoping that there will be no casualties," Monterola said. Authorities continue to urge residents in Aurora, Catanduanes and other coastal and riverine areas to follow local evacuation orders, secure loose objects, and monitor official weather updates.

Note: Situation remains fluid. Local warnings, evacuation orders and weather forecasts may change rapidly — follow official channels for the latest information.