The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
