The Philippines has been hit hard 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, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
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 thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
