The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
