The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
