🔗 Share this article

The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities stated that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.

Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.

Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”

By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.

Storm Intensity and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.

Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.

Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.

The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.