The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped 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.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration last week because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
