The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm 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 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected 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.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
