The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, 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 surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
