Storm alert signals have been issued across large parts of the Philippines, with Signal No 5, the highest warning, raised over southeastern Luzon, including Catanduanes and coastal areas of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, while Metro Manila and surrounding areas are under Signal No 3.

Packing sustained winds of 185km/h (115mph) and gusts of up to 230km/h, Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, is forecast to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon on Sunday night at the earliest.

Parts of eastern Visayas were already experiencing power outages.

Some images shared by the Philippine coastguard in Camarines Sur showed evacuees carrying bags and personal belongings as they transferred from long, narrow passenger boats to waiting trucks during pre-emptive evacuation operations.

More than 300 domestic and international flights have been cancelled, according to the civil aviation regulator.