The Philippines has evacuated more than 100,000 residents across its eastern and northern regions as storm Fung-wong intensified into a super typhoon ahead of its expected arrival on Sunday, threatening to unleash torrential rains, destructive winds, and storm surges.
Storm alert signals have been hoisted across large parts of the Philippines, with Signal No. 5, the highest warning, raised over southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and coastal areas of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, while Metro Manila and surrounding areas are under Signal No. 3.
Packing sustained winds of 185kph (115mph) and gusts of up to 230kph, Super Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon on Sunday night at the earliest.
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Rescuers evacuate residents to safer grounds in the Batangas province of the country after super typhoon Fung-wong batters the Philippines. AP -
Houses and rice fields are flooded in Tuguegarao City, north of Manila. AFP -
A man walks along a destroyed rail bridge in Guinobatan town, south of Manila. AFP -
This residential area in Guinobatan town, south of Manila, was hit by a landslide. AFP -
Super typhoon Fung-wong approaches the Philippines. AFP -
Residents leave their flooded homes due to heavy rain brought by the typhoon on the southern island of Mindanao. AFP -
Volunteers and local government assistance beneficiaries work together to pack food boxes intended for relief operations in Pasay City, Metro Manila. EPA -
Rescuers leave the southern island of Mindanao. AFP -
Coast guard personnel assist residents in Mobo, Masbate province. AFP -
Residents evacuate from their flooded homes on the southern island of Mindanao. AFP -
Volunteers and local government assistance beneficiaries pack food boxes in Manila. EPA
Parts of Eastern Visayas were already experiencing power cut.
Some images shared by the Philippine Coast Guard in Camarines Sur showed evacuees carrying bags and personal belongings as they transferred from long, narrow passenger boats to waiting lorries during pre-emptive evacuation operations.
More than 300 domestic and international flights have been cancelled, according to the civil aviation regulator.
Fung-wong approached the Philippines just days after the country was battered by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed 204 people and left a trail of destruction before slamming into Vietnam, where it claimed five more lives and devastated coastal communities.
In the fishing village of Vung Cheo in central Vietnam, fishing vessels were seen piled up in wrecks along the main road on Saturday, where hundreds of lobster farms had been washed away or damaged.
