The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with 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 for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
