The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected 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.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
