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 massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
