The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
