The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
