The United Nations cautioned that intense storms such as Typhoon Fung wong, locally called Uwan, are likely to increase as rising sea temperatures around the Philippines fuel extreme weather, Philstar Global reports. On November 10, UN Secretary General deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a briefing that higher sea temperatures linked to the climate crisis make joint preparedness crucial.

The Philippines sits in the path of some of the world’s strongest storms. Its capacity to act quickly and protect communities affects not only its own people but also sets a benchmark for disaster readiness across the region.

The UN humanitarian coordination office noted that the Philippine government is overseeing relief and early recovery operations after carrying out one of its largest recorded pre-emptive evacuations. Before landfall, more than 1.3mn people in 13 of the country’s 18 regions were moved to safety. About 480,000 individuals remained displaced and over 6,000 evacuation centres were operating as of November 10. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Arnaud Peral praised the country’s planning, saying timely actions saved lives.

On November 11, rescue teams began clearing debris as widespread flooding receded. Fung wong, which displaced 1.4mn people, weakened into a severe tropical storm while bringing rain to Taiwan ahead of an expected landfall on November 12.

It was the second strong storm to hit the Philippines within days. Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally named Tino, struck the previous week, leaving 232 fatalities. In Isabela province, a coastal town of 6,000 remained unreachable, while neighbouring Nueva Vizcaya faced similar isolation due to landslides.

National civil defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said restoring roads, electricity and communications is the current priority. A resident on Catanduanes Island described losing her home after relocating from an earlier storm, saying she is exhausted by repeated disasters.

Scientists warn that warmer oceans and a more humid atmosphere are intensifying typhoons and increasing rainfall.