The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
