The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house 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 about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed 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.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
