The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week because of the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
