The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency 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 Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
