The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday 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 in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency last week because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
