The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
