Here’s a summary of the provided article, along with a "Key Takeaways" section.
Key Takeaways
- The Philippines is bracing for another typhoon, Fung-wong (Uwan), just days after being hit by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which caused significant death and destruction.
- Fung-wong is predicted to potentially strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall.
- The storm’s massive circulation is expected to impact a large portion of the country, leading to widespread evacuations and flight cancellations.
- The impact of such storms is worsened by factors like clogged waterways, corruption in flood control projects, and a potential lack of understanding of early warnings.
- The climate crisis exacerbates the intensity of such storms due to warmer ocean temperatures and increased moisture in the air.
Summary
The Philippines is facing the imminent threat of Typhoon Fung-wong (locally known as Uwan), the second major storm to hit the country within a week. This follows the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in nearly 200 deaths in the Philippines and several casualties in Vietnam. Forecasters are warning that Fung-wong could intensify into a super typhoon before it makes landfall on the eastern coast on Sunday, raising serious concerns about widespread damage and potential loss of life.
Fung-wong’s reach is extensive, with its circulation spanning approximately 1,500 kilometers (932 miles). This massive system is already bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to various parts of the Philippines. The country’s meteorological agency, PAGASA, has cautioned that the storm’s impact could encompass almost the entire nation. As of Saturday morning, the typhoon was moving across the Philippine Sea with sustained winds of 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts reaching up to 170 kph (106 mph).
In response to the impending threat, PAGASA has issued urgent calls for residents in low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground. Marine activities have been suspended due to the risk of violent winds and destructive storm surges, particularly in Luzon (the most populous island, home to Manila), the Visayas islands, and Siargao, a popular surfing destination. Several airlines, including Philippine Airlines, have already canceled flights, as confirmed by the Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority, reflecting the severity of the expected impact. Weather agencies upgraded Fung-wong to typhoon status on Friday evening after downgrading Kalmaegi.
The Philippines is highly susceptible to typhoons, with Fung-wong being the 21st named storm to affect the country this year. The previous typhoon, Kalmaegi, left a trail of devastation, destroying entire neighborhoods, displacing tens of thousands of people, and resulting in at least 188 deaths, primarily in the tourist hotspot of Cebu province. While not the strongest storm on record, Kalmaegi’s slow movement caused it to dump excessive amounts of water over densely populated areas, leading to widespread flooding and drownings.
The impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi was exacerbated by factors such as clogged waterways in flood-prone areas and a possible lack of awareness or understanding of early warnings among the population, according to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense. Furthermore, the Philippines has been grappling with a significant corruption scandal involving flood control projects, diverting funds intended for vital infrastructure.
Scientists emphasize that the climate crisis, largely driven by industrialized nations, is intensifying the scale and frequency of regional storms, disproportionately affecting populations in the Global South. The western Pacific Ocean is the most active tropical basin globally, and ocean temperatures have reached record levels in each of the last eight years. These warmer ocean temperatures, fueled by human-caused global warming, provide the necessary energy for storms to strengthen and intensify. This climate crisis is also supercharging rainfall events, as warmer air holds more moisture, leading to more extreme precipitation over vulnerable communities.