The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
