The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing 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 risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
