The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
