🔗 Share this article

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 stated that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.

Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”

As of Monday morning, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The storm system is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.

Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.

International estimates indicate that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.

The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.