The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense 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 by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
