The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
