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The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Officials stated that the massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.

Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”

By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.

According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.

The storm system is expected to continue weakening 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.

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

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

Global warming is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation this year.

Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.

Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.

The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.