The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting 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 announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
