The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
