The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Extensive 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 team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
