The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in damage to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
