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The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.

Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.

“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”

As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.

The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.

Recent Context and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.

Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.

Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.

International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.

The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.