🔗 Share this article

The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.

Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by strong flows.

“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts 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 stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Researchers report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.

Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.

The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.