Typhoon Fong Wong has returned to the Philippines with unprecedented strength, fueled by warming oceans and shifting weather patterns, forcing mass evacuations, threatening coastal communities with deadly storm surges, and leaving scientists alarmed at the growing unpredictability of extreme tropical storms.

Manila, Philippines — Residents along the eastern seaboard of the Philippines are bracing for the return of Typhoon Fong Wong, a ferocious tropical storm that has already stirred fear across the Pacific.

Early this morning, at 6:42 a.m.

local time on January 25, 2026, meteorological satellites detected the typhoon strengthening rapidly over the warm waters east of Samar, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to issue a “Signal 3” warning for Eastern Visayas and parts of Bicol Region.

Authorities confirmed that sustained winds had reached 145 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 180 km/h, and heavy rainfall could exceed 400 millimeters in isolated areas.

“This is not just another typhoon season event,” said Dr.Raul Mendoza, a leading climate scientist with the University of the Philippines.

“The data shows Fong Wong is intensifying faster than any storm we’ve tracked in the last decade, and its wind field is unusually large for this time of year.

” Residents of coastal towns such as Catbalogan, Tacloban, and Legazpi have begun emergency evacuations as local governments deploy relief teams and stockpile food, water, and medical supplies.

In the small fishing village of Guiuan, 45-year-old fisherman Arnel Soriano described the rising anxiety among locals: “We’ve seen storms before, but something feels different.

The sea is restless, the wind has a strange howl.

People are scared—some are leaving their homes tonight.

” Officials are particularly concerned about storm surge, as Fong Wong’s projected path coincides with areas devastated by previous typhoons in 2013 and 2018.

Early modeling predicts waves up to six meters could hit low-lying coastal communities, prompting preemptive evacuations of more than 15,000 residents.

Scientists warn that warming ocean temperatures and shifting weather patterns are playing a role in this intensification.

Satellite imagery from NOAA and Japan’s Meteorological Agency shows unusually high sea surface temperatures across the Philippine Sea, reaching 31°C, which is well above the seasonal average.

These warmer waters are fueling the typhoon’s energy, causing rapid expansion of its outer bands and creating unusually strong rainfall potential.

“We’re seeing a feedback loop,” said Dr.

Hana Reyes, a meteorologist with the Southeast Asia Climate Research Network.

“High ocean heat content accelerates storm intensification, and the larger storm in turn stirs up the ocean further, making conditions for extreme rainfall worse.”

In Manila, city officials are coordinating with national agencies to prepare hospitals and critical infrastructure for the impact of Fong Wong.

Hospitals in Metro Manila have activated emergency protocols, ensuring backup generators are ready as winds and rain threaten power lines and transportation networks.

Airport authorities reported delays and cancellations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport as airlines adjusted schedules in anticipation of storm-related disruptions.

Notably, Typhoon Fong Wong’s return comes just two months after an unusually strong typhoon season in 2025, which caused widespread flooding in Luzon and left over 200,000 people displaced.

Many climatologists now argue that storms like Fong Wong could become more frequent, more unpredictable, and more destructive due to the combined effects of climate change and evolving ocean currents.

“What’s happening now is a clear signal,” said Dr.Mendoza.

“The Philippines is in a climate hotspot, and storms like this are likely to become more intense.

Communities need to adapt quickly, or the human and economic toll will escalate dramatically.”

In Samar and Leyte, local governments are urging people to heed evacuation orders and avoid coastal areas.

Emergency response teams have been pre-positioned with boats, medical kits, and emergency food supplies.

Social media is abuzz with residents sharing storm images, warnings, and pleas for assistance, while news channels broadcast real-time updates on Fong Wong’s trajectory.

As Fong Wong moves closer to the Visayas, forecasters warn that wind shear and topographical influences could unexpectedly alter the storm’s path, increasing the risk of localized flooding and landslides in mountainous regions.

Communities in Albay, Sorsogon, and Eastern Samar are particularly vulnerable due to deforestation and previous typhoon damage, which reduces natural protection against heavy rains and strong winds.

PAGASA’s chief forecaster, Irene Villanueva, emphasized the need for vigilance: “Even if the eye of the storm does not pass directly over a town, the effects can still be catastrophic.

Residents must prepare for torrential rains, possible landslides, and dangerous coastal surges.

This is not a drill.”

As the storm barrels toward the Philippines, the combination of historical intensity, current meteorological anomalies, and climate-driven changes has left both scientists and residents uneasy.

The world watches closely as Typhoon Fong Wong demonstrates how extreme weather is evolving—reminding everyone that preparation, adaptation, and rapid response are critical to saving lives and minimizing damage.

With winds escalating and rainfall intensifying, the next 48 hours will determine the full impact of Fong Wong on the archipelago.

Emergency services remain on high alert, and millions of Filipinos await updates as the storm approaches.

This event may mark a turning point in the region’s approach to typhoon preparedness, illustrating the increasing urgency of climate adaptation strategies in the face of unpredictable and intensifying storms.