The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
