The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, 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 continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% 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 every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
