🔗 Share this article

The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.

Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.

“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”

As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Forecast

The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

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

Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.

Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.

The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.