The Philippines has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
