The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm 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, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
