The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to 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 storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
