The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
