The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main 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 peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of 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 were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is making cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
