The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
