The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of 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 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
