The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
