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The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.

Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”

By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.

According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.

Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.

Recent Context and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.

Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.

Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.

International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.

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