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The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.

Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations

In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.

Our team saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”

By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.

The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.

Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Climate Impact

The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.

Searches 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 common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.

Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.

Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.

The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.