The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
