The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading 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.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
