🔗 Share this article

The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.

Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.

Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting 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, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.

Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.

The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.

Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.

International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.

The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.