🔗 Share this article

The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities stated that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.

Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.

Our team saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.

According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

Search operations for those still missing were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.

Researchers report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled 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 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.