The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per 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 storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.