The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying 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, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands 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 annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
