The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
