The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
