The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, 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 super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is making cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
