Super Typhoon Fung-wong makes landfall in Philippines

MANILA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Super Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall over Aurora province in the eastern part of Luzon Island of the Philippines on Sunday night, according to the state weather bureau.

The bureau reported that the Category 5 typhoon hit the municipality of Dinalungan around 9:10 p.m. local time (1310 GMT) on Sunday.

After landfall, Fung-wong is expected to move across the mountainous terrain of northern Luzon and emerge over Lingayen Gulf or the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union by Monday morning.

The interaction with the rugged terrain of Luzon will cause Fung-wong to weaken considerably, although it is expected to retain typhoon strength while crossing the landmass, the bureau said.

Before making landfall, the super typhoon had already claimed at least two lives, local authorities said.

Fung-wong is the 21st tropical cyclone hitting the Philippines this year, surpassing the country's annual average of 20 storms. ■