The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, 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 projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
