Taiwan Evacuates Thousands as Tropical Storm Fung‑wong Nears; Philippines Death Toll Reaches 25

Taipei — Precautionary Evacuations and Closures Ahead of Fung‑wong

Taiwan authorities moved more than 3,300 residents from vulnerable areas and ordered schools and government offices to close on Tuesday as Tropical Storm Fung‑wong approached the island. The storm, which earlier struck the Philippines as a super typhoon, has been blamed for at least 25 deaths and has displaced more than 1.4 million people there.

Current Conditions and Forecast

On Tuesday morning, Taiwan’s weather agency reported Fung‑wong had maximum sustained winds of about 108 kph (67 mph) with gusts up to 137 kph (85 mph). The agency said the system is weakening as it approaches and is expected to make landfall Wednesday afternoon or evening near the southwestern port city of Kaohsiung. Forecasts indicate the storm will sweep across the island and exit off the northeast coast by Wednesday evening or early Thursday.

Local Precautions and Affected Areas

More than 3,300 people from four counties and cities were evacuated, particularly near the eastern township of Guangfu. Officials cited concerns that heavy rain could trigger renewed overflow from a barrier lake that breached during a September storm and killed 18 people.

Schools and government offices were closed Tuesday in Hualien and Yilan counties. Taiwan’s weather authorities issued land warnings for southern and southwestern areas, including Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Tainan and Taitung, urging residents to prepare for heavy rain, strong winds and potential flooding.

Impact in the Philippines

Fung‑wong struck the northeastern Philippine coast on Sunday as a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of roughly 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts up to 230 kph (143 mph). The 1,800‑kilometer (1,100‑mile)‑wide system caused widespread flash floods and landslides across several northern provinces.

Philippine authorities reported at least 25 deaths and dozens of injuries. More than 1.4 million people were displaced, with Office of Civil Defense deputy director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV saying about 803,000 people were sheltering in roughly 11,000 evacuation centers across northern Luzon.

“It’s not mass casualty in one place,” Alejandro said, noting fatalities were spread across multiple landslides and flood‑related incidents.

Officials said many fatalities occurred in the Cordillera region, a sparsely populated, six‑province mountain area prone to landslides during the rainy season. Reported causes of death included landslides, flash floods, exposed electrical wires and a collapsed house. Authorities also reported at least 29 injuries and a small number of missing persons in remote areas.

Regional Response

Across the Taiwan Strait, China activated emergency typhoon responses for its southeastern provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Hainan. Taiwan’s civil defense and local governments have mobilized emergency teams, ready shelters and prepositioned relief equipment as the storm approaches.

Outlook and Safety Advice

Meteorologists warn that even as Fung‑wong weakens from its peak intensity, heavy rainfall, storm surge and damaging gusts remain likely — especially in south and southwest Taiwan and northern Luzon in the Philippines. Residents in affected areas are advised to follow evacuation orders, avoid low‑lying coastal zones and stay tuned to official weather updates.

Background: The Philippines and Taiwan are regularly affected by tropical cyclones and are also located in a seismically active region. Local authorities stress preparedness and early evacuation to reduce casualties and damage.