The Philippines has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” 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 rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
