The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
