The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
