The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening 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 thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
