Powerful Storm Slams Philippines: PICS
Fung-Wong cut power in many areas and soaking rice and corn farms and bringing Manila to a near standstill.
Fung-Wong cut power in many areas and soaking rice and corn farms and bringing Manila to a near standstill.
Storm Fung-Wong churned towards Taiwan on Saturday after killing at least five people in the Philippines, and forcing some 200,000 people into temporary shelter, including in the capital Manila, to escape massive flooding.
Fung-Wong, with winds of 95 kph (59 mph) and gusts of 120 kph, slammed in the northern tip of the Philippines on Friday, cutting power in many areas and soaking rice and corn farms and bringing the capital to a near standstill.
The storm, travelling north at 15 kph, is expected to hit the Taiwan on Monday
Fung-Wong, locally known as "Mario" centre is currently around 137 km northeast of Laoag City in the Ilocos province in the north. It was expected to be at 647 kms north of Batanes on Monday, outside the Philippine area of responsibility.
Officials have declared a state of calamity in some areas in the capital and in Cebu City in the central Philippines due to floods, that have left some parts of the city 2 metres underwater.
Trading on the city's stock exchange and local currency market was suspended on Friday and will resume on Monday.
At least 40 domestic flights were grounded and six international flights were diverted by civil aviation authorities.
More than 700,000 people were effected by the storm and about 200,000 people were forced out from their homes and staying in shelter areas
More than 300 areas in seven regions in the country were flooded.
Last year, typhoon Haiyan struck in the central Philippines, killing more 6,300 people. An average of 20 typhoons hit the country every year.