The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
