The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
