The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
