The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest 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 peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed 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 due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
