Jake Saunders, Editor
The Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA) announced yesterday that it expects to issue a sea warning for Typhoon Fung-wong later this afternoon, followed by a land warning tomorrow, as the storm continues its approach toward Taiwan.
As of 1 p.m. local time, Fung-wong was located approximately 1,070 kilometers southeast of Oluanpi, Taiwan’s southernmost point. The typhoon was moving west-northwest at a speed of 28 to 32 kilometers per hour. Meteorological data indicated that the storm had a radius of 250 km, with maximum sustained winds of 173 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 209 km/h.
Forecasts suggest Fung-wong will pass near Luzon in the Philippines before entering the South China Sea, where it may shift northward toward Taiwan. CWA forecaster Chang Chun-yao highlighted that current models project the typhoon’s center could make landfall in Taiwan between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning. He emphasized that the exact location remains uncertain but indicated that central and southern regions are at higher risk, although areas like Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli County could also be affected.
Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu noted that while Fung-wong might weaken as it nears Taiwan, its interaction with northeast seasonal winds could trigger heavy rainfall, potentially causing severe flooding in northern and eastern Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Fung-wong has already caused significant damage in the Philippines, where it battered the northeastern coastline yesterday. At least two fatalities and over a million evacuations were reported as officials urged residents in high-risk zones to prepare for flash floods, landslides, and tidal surges. The storm approached from the Pacific amid ongoing recovery efforts from Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left at least 224 dead in central provinces earlier this week and subsequently impacted Vietnam, resulting in at least five casualties.
In the Philippines, a villager drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes, and another individual was killed by debris in Samar province. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency due to the destruction caused by Kalmaegi and the imminent threat posed by Fung-wong. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro advised residents in the storm’s path to heed evacuation orders, warning that non-compliance could be dangerous and illegal.
Over one million people have been moved away from vulnerable villages in northeastern regions, including Bicol, an area prone to Pacific cyclones and volcanic mudflows from Mount Mayon. The Philippine Civil Defense estimated that as many as 30 million people could be impacted by Fung-wong’s hazards.
As Bracing efforts intensify, authorities in Taiwan and the Philippines remain vigilant for the typhoon’s next moves, urging citizens to stay informed and prepared.
