The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
