🔗 Share this article

The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.

Authorities stated that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people across the country.

Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”

By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

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

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.

Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.

Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines annually.

The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.