The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
