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The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation 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 reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.

“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.

Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.

The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of 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 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

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

Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.

The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.