The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
