Nearly 900,000 Evacuated as Typhoon Hits Philippines

The Philippines has evacuated over 900,000 people from high-risk areas as powerful Typhoon Fung Wong, locally known as Owan, sweeps across the main island of Luzon, forcing the suspension of work and classes in multiple regions, including Metro Manila.

The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon on Sunday evening, just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi caused widespread destruction in the Philippines and claimed 224 lives locally and five in Vietnam.

Authorities reported that Fung Wong is already battering many areas of Luzon with sustained winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 230 kilometers per hour, accompanied by heavy rainfall.

A level five warning, the highest on the scale, has been issued for the southeastern and central parts of the Philippines, including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Aurora province. Metro Manila and surrounding provinces are under a level three warning.

The Philippine military has redirected around 2,000 troops from field training exercises to focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that approximately 400 domestic and international flights have been cancelled due to the typhoon.