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.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. 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 after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, 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 projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
