The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
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 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
