The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
