The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials stated that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
