The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died 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 Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
