The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
