The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns 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 intense cyclones striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
