The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened 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 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
