The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting 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, officials confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday 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 peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
