The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, 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, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
