The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
