Typhoon Fung-wong Devastates Philippines
Typhoon Fung-wong has exited the Philippines after leaving a trail of destruction that included submerged villages, widespread power outages, and significant displacement of residents. The storm, which made landfall on Sunday evening as a super typhoon, has claimed at least five lives and forced more than one million people from their homes.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Operations
The typhoon's massive footprint covered nearly the entire archipelago, uprooting trees and flooding towns along its path. This disaster comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi struck the central Philippines, killing at least 224 people. Cleanup efforts are now underway from Cagayan province in the far north to Catanduanes island more than 1,000 kilometers to the south.
In Cagayan province, provincial rescue chief Rueli Rapsing reported that a flash flood in neighboring Apayao province caused the Chico River to overflow its banks. "We received reports around six in the morning that some people were already on their roofs," Rapsing told AFP. While most residents have been rescued, verified video footage shows some people remain trapped.
Residents Describe Unprecedented Flooding
Mark Lamer, a 24-year-old resident of Cagayan's Tuao town, described the typhoon as the "strongest I have ever experienced." He expressed surprise at the severity of flooding, noting "We didn't think the water would reach us. It had never risen this high previously."
The situation remains critical in Tuguegarao City, where Rapsing confirmed "Tuguegarao is underwater now." Local authorities report the Cagayan River continues to rise at an alarming rate of approximately 0.3 meters every hour. Before the river overflowed, emergency teams successfully evacuated more than 5,000 people from the area.
Climate Change Connection
Scientists emphasize that human-driven climate change is making storms more powerful. Warmer ocean temperatures allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly, while a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall during such weather events.
The death toll from Typhoon Fung-wong increased after reports confirmed that five-year-old twins and an elderly man died in separate landslide incidents in northern Luzon provinces. The Philippines continues to grapple with the aftermath of consecutive typhoons that have tested the nation's disaster response capabilities.
