The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration last week because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
