The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed 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.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
