The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone 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 destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped 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 as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
