Typhoon Fung-wong batters the Philippines

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Source: abc News

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Typhoon Fung-wong blew out of the northwestern Philippines on Monday after setting off floods and landslides, knocking out power to entire provinces, killing at least eight people and displacing more than 1.4 million others.

Main Idea
The report states that the typhoon has exited northwestern Philippines, but only after causing serious impacts: floods, landslides, widespread power outages, fatalities, and mass displacement.
Tone & Perspective
Neutral, factual newswire tone. The paragraph compresses scale through numbers (“entire provinces,” “at least eight,” “more than 1.4 million”), underscoring severity without overt judgment.
Meaning Flow
Typhoon Fung-wong→Hits NW Philippines→Floods & landslides→Power knocked out→≥8 deaths→1.4M+ displaced→Blows out on Monday
⛏️ “Blew out” indicates departure after damage; the present participle string lists cascading consequences.

Sentence analysis

  • Subject (S)Typhoon Fung-wong
  • Verb (V)blew out of — phrasal verb meaning “moved away/left.”
  • Complement (C)the northwestern Philippines — object of the preposition of indicating the place departed.
  • Modifier (M-Time)on Monday
  • Adverbial (A-Sequence)after + non-finite verb phrases describing prior consequences: setting off floods and landslides, knocking out power to entire provinces, killing at least eight people and displacing more than 1.4 million others.
Sentence pattern: S + V + C + M + A(after + V-ing list)
S: Typhoon Fung-wong→V: blew out of→C: NW Philippines→M: on Monday→A: after + damages listed
Chunking map: [Typhoon Fung-wong] [blew out of] [the northwestern Philippines] [on Monday] [after setting off floods and landslides, knocking out power to entire provinces, killing at least eight people and displacing more than 1.4 million others]
Simplified Rewrite
On Monday, the typhoon left northwestern Philippines after causing floods and landslides, cutting power across provinces, killing at least eight people, and forcing over 1.4 million to leave their homes.
Usage: After + V-ing compresses prior events: “X happened after causing/doing Y.” Listing multiple -ing phrases efficiently stacks consequences.

typhoon
noun
Definition

A strong tropical storm that forms over warm ocean waters, especially in the western Pacific or Indian oceans, and can cause heavy rain and strong winds.

Example

The typhoon caused widespread damage across the coastal towns.

landslides
noun
Definition

A landslide is a sudden movement of a large amount of earth, rock, or debris down a slope, often caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.

Example

The heavy rain caused several landslides in the mountainous region, blocking roads and damaging homes.

provinces
noun
Definition

Areas or regions that are part of a country, often with their own local governments.

Example

The country is divided into several provinces, each with its own unique culture.

displacing
verb
Definition

To move something from its usual or original position to a different one.

Example

The construction work is displacing many families from their homes.

floods
noun
Definition

Large amounts of water that cover land that is usually dry, often caused by heavy rain or melting snow.

Example

The floods caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the area.

The typhoon was forecast to head northwest toward Taiwan. Fung-wong lashed the northern Philippines while the country was still dealing with the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left at least 224 people dead in central provinces on Tuesday before pummeling Vietnam, where at least five were killed.

Main Idea
One storm (Fung-wong) is projected to track toward Taiwan as it simultaneously batters northern Philippines. The impact lands on a country already reeling from a previous typhoon (Kalmaegi), highlighting compounded disasters across the region, with heavy death tolls in the Philippines and Vietnam.
Tone & Perspective
Neutral, reportorial tone that underscores severity by juxtaposing forecast path with ongoing damage and concrete casualty figures. The structure implies strain on national response capacity.
Meaning Flow
Forecast→Heading NW to Taiwan→Meanwhile: Fung-wong lashes N. Philippines→Country still dealing with Kalmaegi→224 dead in central PH (Kalmaegi)→Kalmaegi then hits Vietnam→≥5 deaths in Vietnam
🔁 The paragraph contrasts projected movement (forecast) with ongoing consequences, emphasizing back-to-back crises.

Sentence 1

  • Subject (S)The typhoon
  • Verb (V)was forecast — passive reporting verb; expectation stated by forecasters.
  • Complement (C)to head northwest toward Taiwan — infinitive clause expressing predicted motion + direction + goal.
Pattern: S + Vpass + C(to-infinitive)
S: the typhoon→V: was forecast→C: to head NW toward Taiwan
Simplified Rewrite
Forecasters expected the typhoon to move northwest toward Taiwan.
Usage: be forecast to + V is a common passive pattern for predicted actions (e.g., “is forecast to strengthen”).

Sentence 2

  • Main Clause (MC)Fung-wong (S) + lashed (V) + the northern Philippines (O).
  • Time Contrastwhile + clause: the country (S) was still dealing with (V) the devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi (O).
  • Relative Clausewhich (refers to Typhoon Kalmaegi) + left (V) at least 224 people (O) dead (OC) in central provinces on Tuesday (M), before (linker) pummeling (V-ing) Vietnam (O).
  • Where-Clausewhere (refers to Vietnam) + at least five were killed — passive summary of casualties.
Pattern: MC [S + V + O] + while-clause (time contrast) + non-defining relative clause (which …) with before + V-ing + where-clause.
S: Fung-wong→V: lashed→O: northern Philippines→while: country still dealing with Kalmaegi’s devastation→which: left 224 dead in PH→before: pummeling Vietnam→where: ≥5 killed
Simplified Rewrite
Fung-wong struck northern Philippines even as the nation was still coping with Kalmaegi’s damage—Kalmaegi had killed at least 224 people in central provinces on Tuesday, then hit Vietnam, where at least five more people died.
Usage: while + past continuous sets a contrasting background action; non-defining “which” adds extra information; before + V-ing marks sequence; where introduces location-specific results.

forecast
intransitive verb
Definition

To predict or estimate what will happen in the future, often related to weather or economic conditions.

Example

The meteorologist will forecast the weather for the weekend.

lashed
verb
Definition

To strike or hit something with a quick, forceful motion, often using a whip or similar object.

Example

The storm lashed the coast with strong winds and heavy rain.

devastation
noun
Definition

The act of causing great destruction or damage to something, often leaving it in ruins.

Example

The hurricane caused widespread devastation in the coastal towns.

wrought
adjective
Definition

Made with great care and skill, often referring to something that is carefully created or shaped.

Example

The artist displayed a beautifully wrought sculpture in the gallery.

pummel
noun
Definition

The action of hitting someone repeatedly, especially with your fists.

Example

After the argument, he gave his opponent a pummel that left him on the ground.

Fung-wong slammed ashore in northeastern Aurora province on Sunday night as a super typhoon with sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph).

Main Idea
The sentence reports a landfall event: Fung-wong hit Aurora (NE Philippines) at night as a super typhoon, with precise sustained and gust wind speeds to convey severity and meteorological credibility.
Tone & Perspective
Objective, data-driven news tone. Technical terms (“super typhoon,” “sustained winds,” “gusts”) and dual units (kph/mph) aim for accuracy and international readability.
Meaning Flow
Super typhoon status→Landfall in Aurora (NE)→Timing: Sunday night→Sustained 185 kph (115 mph)→Gusts 230 kph (143 mph)
📏 “Sustained” reflects averaged wind over a standard period; “gusts” mark brief peaks—both signal destructive potential.

Sentence analysis

  • Subject (S)Fung-wong
  • Verb (V)slammed ashore — dynamic phrasal verb meaning “struck land with force.”
  • Place (M-Loc)in northeastern Aurora province — specific location of landfall.
  • Time (M-Time)on Sunday night.
  • Status/Role (C-As)as a super typhoon — “as + NP” indicates condition/status at landfall.
  • Detail (M-With)with sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph) — “with + NP” adds quantitative specifics; coordination links sustained winds and gusts.
Sentence pattern: S + V(phrasal) + M-Loc + M-Time + C(as + NP) + M(with + NP)
S: Fung-wong→V: slammed ashore→M-Loc: NE Aurora→M-Time: Sunday night→C-As: super typhoon→M-With: sustained 185 / gusts 230
Chunking map: [Fung-wong] [slammed ashore] [in northeastern Aurora province] [on Sunday night] [as a super typhoon] [with sustained winds of up to 185 kph (115 mph) and gusts of up to 230 kph (143 mph)]
Simplified Rewrite
On Sunday night, Fung-wong hit land in Aurora (northeast) as a super typhoon, bringing steady winds up to 185 kph (115 mph) and brief peaks up to 230 kph (143 mph).
Usage: as + noun marks a role/condition (“arrived as president,” “landed as a Category 5 storm”); with + NP efficiently adds measurements or accompanying details.

sustained
adjective
Definition

Continuing for a long time without stopping or changing.

Example

The sustained effort of the team led to their success in the competition.

gusts
noun
Definition

Strong, brief bursts of wind.

Example

The gusts of wind knocked over the trash cans outside.

northeastern
adjective
Definition

This word describes something that is in or comes from the northeastern part of a place, usually referring to a specific region.

Example

The northeastern states are known for their beautiful autumn foliage.

province
noun
Definition

A region or area that is part of a country, often with its own government or administrative system.

Example

The province is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich culture.

The 1,800-kilometer (1,100-mile)-wide storm weakened as it raked through mountainous northern provinces and agricultural plains overnight before blowing away from the province of La Union into the South China Sea, according to state forecasters.

Main Idea
A very large storm loses strength while traversing rough, mountainous and farm regions, then exits La Union into the South China Sea. The phrasing stresses scale and a trajectory of weakening, with attribution to state forecasters for credibility.
Tone & Perspective
Neutral, technical news tone. Numbers (diameter in km/mi) and geographic waypoints create a precise, track-style narrative of the storm’s movement.
Meaning Flow
Huge storm (1,800 km wide)→Weakened→Raked mountains & plains overnight→Blew away from La Union→Into South China Sea→Source: state forecasters
🌬️ “Raked” conveys scraping/dragging force over terrain; “according to …” signals sourced reporting.

Sentence analysis

  • Subject (S)The 1,800-kilometer (1,100-mile)-wide storm — head noun storm modified by a measurement phrase.
  • Verb (V1)weakened — main finite verb.
  • Time Linkas + clause: it raked through mountainous northern provinces and agricultural plains overnight — concurrent action giving cause/context.
  • Sequence Linkbefore + V-ing: blowing away from the province of La Union into the South China Sea — subsequent movement with source & destination (from→into).
  • Attributionaccording to state forecasters — source of information; sentence-final adjunct.
Sentence pattern: S + V1 + as + clause + before + V-ing (from X into Y) + attribution
S: storm→V1: weakened→as: raked mountains/plains overnight→before: blowing away→from La Union → into South China Sea→according to forecasters
Chunking map: [The … wide storm] [weakened] [as it raked through … overnight] [before blowing away from La Union into the South China Sea] [according to state forecasters]
Simplified Rewrite
The huge storm lost strength while sweeping over northern mountains and farmlands overnight, then moved off from La Union into the South China Sea, state forecasters said.
Usage: as + clause shows simultaneous/causal context; before + V-ing marks the next event; from + place + into + place traces origin → destination.

raked
adjective
Definition

Having a slope or incline, often used to describe surfaces that are not flat.

Example

The raked stage allowed for better visibility of the performers.

mountainous
adjective
Definition

An adjective used to describe an area that has many mountains or is characterized by mountains.

Example

The mountainous region is perfect for hiking and exploring nature.

agricultural
adjective
Definition

Related to farming and the cultivation of land, including activities like growing crops and raising animals.

Example

The government is investing in agricultural technology to improve crop yields.

forecasters
noun
Definition

People who predict or estimate future events, especially in relation to weather or economic conditions.

Example

The forecasters predicted a sunny day for the weekend.

attribution
noun
Definition

A noun that refers to the act of giving credit to someone for their work or the quality that belongs to a person or thing.

Example

The attribution of the painting to the famous artist was widely accepted.

One person drowned in flash floods in the eastern province of Catanduanes, and another died in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province when her house collapsed on her, officials said.

Main Idea
The sentence reports two storm-related deaths in the eastern Philippines—one by flash flooding in Catanduanes and another in Catbalogan (Eastern Samar) due to a house collapse—with attribution to officials.
Tone & Perspective
Brief, factual, casualty-focused. It pairs locations with causes of death, emphasizing the human toll and sourcing the information to authorities.
Meaning Flow
Flash floods→1 death (Catanduanes)→House collapse→1 death (Catbalogan, E. Samar)→Source: officials
🧭 Coordination (“and”) links two parallel casualty reports; the final attribution signals verified reporting.

Compound sentence analysis

  • Clause AOne person (S) + drowned (V) + in flash floods (M-cause/loc) + in the eastern province of Catanduanes (M-loc).
  • Linkerand — coordinates two parallel main clauses (two casualty reports).
  • Clause Banother (S) + died (V) + in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province (M-loc) + when (time/trigger) + her house (S) + collapsed (V) + on her (M-result).
  • Attributionofficials said — reporting tag placed at the end.
Sentence pattern: [S + V + M] and [S + V + M + when + clause] + reporting tag.
S: One person→V: drowned→M: in flash floods (Catanduanes)→S: another→V: died→M: in Catbalogan, E. Samar→when: her house collapsed on her→Source: officials said
Chunking map: [One person drowned] [in flash floods] [in … Catanduanes], [and another died] [in Catbalogan city in eastern Samar province] [when her house collapsed on her], [officials said]
Simplified Rewrite
Officials said one person drowned in flash floods in Catanduanes, and another died in Catbalogan, Eastern Samar, when her house collapsed on her.
Usage: when + clause can show the triggering moment or cause (“died when the roof fell”). End-position attribution (officials said) is common in news writing.

drowned
adjective
Definition

Having died as a result of being submerged in water and unable to breathe.

Example

The drowned man was found at the bottom of the lake.

officials
noun
Definition

People who hold a position of authority or responsibility in an organization or government.

Example

The officials announced new regulations to improve public safety.

In the northern province of Nueva Vizcaya, three children died in two separate landslides and four others were injured, police told The Associated Press. An elderly person was killed in a mudslide in Barlig, a town in northern Mountain Province, according to officials.

Main Idea
The passage details storm casualties in two northern Philippine provinces: three children killed and four injured in Nueva Vizcaya landslides, and an elderly person killed in a mudslide in Barlig. Attribution to police and officials signals verified, on-the-ground reporting.
Tone & Perspective
Neutral and factual, with emphasis on human impact. Locations, ages, and sources (police, officials) provide specificity and credibility.
Meaning Flow
Nueva Vizcaya→3 children died→2 separate landslides→4 others injured→Police → AP
Barlig (Mountain Province)→Elderly person killed→Mudslide→According to officials
🧭 Parallel structure reports two sites, causes (landslides/mudslide), and official sources.

Sentence 1

  • Fronted Place (M-Loc)In the northern province of Nueva Vizcaya,
  • Clause Athree children (S) + died (V) + in two separate landslides (M-cause).
  • Coordinatorand — links two main results at the same site/timeframe.
  • Clause Bfour others (S) + were injured (Vpass).
  • Attributionpolice told The Associated Press — reporting tag giving source and outlet.
Pattern: [M-Loc] + [S + V + M] and [S + Vpass] + reporting tag.
M-Loc: Nueva Vizcaya→S: three children→V: died→M: in two separate landslides→and + four others were injured→Source: police → AP
Simplified Rewrite
Police told AP that in Nueva Vizcaya, three children died in two landslides, and four other people were injured.
Usage: A fronted location phrase sets context. Coordinating with and compresses multiple outcomes in one sentence.

Sentence 2

  • Subject (S)An elderly person
  • Verb (Vpass)was killed — passive voice common in casualty reports.
  • Cause/Place (M)in a mudslide in Barlig — cause + immediate location.
  • Appositiona town in northern Mountain Province — renames/identifies Barlig.
  • Attributionaccording to officials — end-position source.
Pattern: S + Vpass + M(cause/place) + apposition + attribution.
S: elderly person→Vpass: was killed→M: in a mudslide in Barlig→Apposition: a town in northern Mountain Province→Source: officials
Simplified Rewrite
Officials said an elderly person died in a mudslide in Barlig, a town in northern Mountain Province.
Usage: Appositives (X, a town in Y,) add identifying detail; according to introduces attribution succinctly.

landslides
noun
Definition

A landslide is a sudden movement of a large amount of earth, rock, or debris down a slope, often caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.

Example

The heavy rain caused several landslides in the mountainous region, blocking roads and damaging homes.

mudslide
noun
Definition

A natural disaster where a large amount of mud and debris flows down a slope, often caused by heavy rain or earthquakes.

Example

After the heavy rain, a mudslide blocked the road and caused significant damage.

elderly
adjective
Definition

Referring to people who are older, especially those who are past middle age and may be considered senior citizens.

Example

The elderly often have different healthcare needs than younger people.

injured
verb
Definition

To have caused physical harm or damage to someone or something.

Example

He injured his leg while playing soccer.

Fierce wind and rain flooded at least 132 northern villages, including one where some residents were trapped on their roofs as floodwaters rapidly rose. About 1,000 houses were damaged, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defense and other officials said, adding that roads blocked by landslides would be cleared as the weather improved on Monday.

Main Idea
Severe wind and rain inundated more than a hundred northern villages, briefly trapping residents on rooftops. Roughly a thousand homes were damaged. Officials promised that landslide-blocked roads would be cleared once weather conditions improved on Monday.
Tone & Perspective
Concise, factual news reporting. Concrete numbers and titles add credibility, while the rooftop detail conveys urgency and human risk.
Meaning Flow
Fierce wind & rain→132+ villages flooded→Some residents trapped on roofs→~1,000 houses damaged→Officials’ statement→Roads to be cleared→As weather improves (Mon)
🧭 “Including … where …” zooms into a vivid example; “adding that …” announces follow-up actions conditioned on better weather.

Sentence 1

  • Subject (S)Fierce wind and rain — compound subject.
  • Verb (V)flooded.
  • Object (O)at least 132 northern villages.
  • Post-modifierincluding + NP + where-clause: including one where some residents were trapped on their roofs — specifies an example.
  • Time/Causeas + clause: floodwaters rapidly rose — concurrent trigger.
Pattern: S + V + O + including + NP + where-clause + as + clause
S: wind & rain→V: flooded→O: 132 villages→Detail: including one where residents were trapped→Cause/Time: as waters rose
Simplified Rewrite
Strong wind and rain flooded at least 132 northern villages, including one where people were trapped on their roofs as waters rose quickly.
Usage: including + NP adds an example; where introduces a location-based relative clause; as + clause marks simultaneous cause/time.

Sentence 2

  • Main clauseAbout 1,000 houses (S) + were damaged (Vpass).
  • Reporting tagBernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of the Office of Civil Defense and other officials said — identifies source; set off by commas.
  • Supplementadding that + content clause.
  • Content clauseroads (S) + blocked by landslides (reduced relative) + would be cleared (Vpass, future-in-past) + as the weather improved on Monday (time/condition).
Pattern: S + Vpass, speaker + said, adding that [S + (reduced relative) + Vpass + as + clause]
S: ~1,000 houses→Vpass: were damaged→Source: officials said→Adding: roads (blocked by landslides)→Vpass: would be cleared→Time: as weather improved Mon
Simplified Rewrite
Officials said about 1,000 houses were damaged, and added that roads blocked by landslides would be cleared as the weather improved on Monday.
Usage: adding that + clause is a common newswire way to append more information; roads blocked by … uses a reduced relative clause to condense “roads that were blocked …”.

fierce
adjective
Definition

Having a strong and intense nature, often associated with aggression or severity.

Example

The fierce competition among the teams made the game very exciting.

floodwaters
noun
Definition

The water that covers land during a flood, often causing damage and disruption.

Example

The floodwaters rose quickly, submerging homes and roads in the area.

trapped
adjective
Definition

Caught in a situation where escape is difficult or impossible.

Example

The animal was trapped in the cage for several days before it was rescued.