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, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.