The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
