The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened 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 with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
