The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main 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 were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines this year.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
