The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
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 indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
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 were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
