The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing cyclones stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in approximately millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.