The Philippines is grappling with a new severe typhoon, Fujuan, prompting mass evacuations just days after another deadly storm, Kalmaegi, devastated the archipelago and neighboring Vietnam.
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from eastern and northern regions as Super Typhoon Fujuan rapidly intensified. The storm is expected to make landfall with destructive winds and severe storm surges.
Fujuan’s arrival follows Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed 204 people in the Philippines and an additional five in Vietnam. Kalmaegi caused widespread damage, destroying coastal communities and hundreds of lobster farms in a fishing village in central Vietnam.
Authorities issued high-level storm warnings across the Philippines. Signal 5, the highest alert, was declared for provinces in southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and coastal areas of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. The capital, Metro Manila, is under Signal 3.
Over 300 domestic and international flights have been canceled in anticipation of the super typhoon.
Fujuan, also known locally as “Uwan,” was located approximately 125 kilometers northeast of a town in Catanduanes province on Sunday morning. It was sustaining winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour) with gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph).
The typhoon’s eyewall is currently bringing strong winds to northern Catanduanes.
Moving northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (15.5 mph), Fujuan is projected to make landfall in a central Luzon province late Sunday or early Monday at or near its peak intensity, with winds of around 195 km/h (121 mph).
The storm is expected to weaken as it crosses mountainous northern Luzon. It is then forecast to move into the Western Philippine Sea by Monday morning.
Fujuan is predicted to exit the Philippines’ area of responsibility by Tuesday. However, it is expected to re-enter northwestern parts on Thursday, cross Taiwan, and permanently depart the Philippine area by Friday.