The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in 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 severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
