The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped 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 indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
