Bridge sways violently as Typhoon Fung Wong lashes the Philippines

In Camarines Sur Province, the iconic 50-meter suspension bridge over the Bicol River in Camaligan City was seen twisting and swaying wildly as the storm passed through. Footage published by local media showed the bridge shuddering under ferocious gusts, part of a riverside park project opened in 2021, Inquirer reported.

"If the bridge is damaged, we'll have to detour through another village to cross," resident Fronie told broadcaster GMA.

Fung Wong, one of the strongest typhoons to strike the country this year, unleashed torrential rain and violent winds from Bicol to Ilocos. Floodwaters poured into homes and landmarks, including the historic San Rafael Church in Catanduanes Province, while a wall at Ibalon Elementary School in Albay collapsed. Roads in Legazpi were blocked as landslide and wave risks surged.

Authorities confirmed at least two deaths and two injuries by Nov. 10, but warned that the toll could rise as rescue teams struggled to reach isolated areas. More than 1.17 million people were evacuated from 10 regions, over half from Bicol alone.

At least 14 transmission lines were cut, thousands of homes were damaged and several airports were forced to close. The military, police and emergency agencies deployed over 9,000 personnel and 1,600 heavy machines to assist, while hundreds of thousands remained in evacuation centers across Luzon and Visayas.

As of Monday, Fung Wong is moving west-northwest with sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts reaching 230 kph, threatening provinces including Camarines Norte, Aurora, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya. The storm later weakened over the South China Sea but was expected to impact southern Taiwan as it tracked northward.