The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
