The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
