Super Typhoon Fongwong, now weakening, has caused at least two deaths and significant destruction in the Philippines, a nation still recovering from a recent deadly storm and increasingly vulnerable to climate change-driven weather events.
The storm made landfall on the eastern coast of the Philippines late Sunday as a Super Typhoon. It brought down trees, damaged numerous homes, and caused severe flooding across multiple cities.
Aurora province, where the typhoon first struck, reported many roads impassable due to landslides. Widespread power outages affected the region.
Aurora Taay, the Mayor of Dingalan, stated via a Facebook Live broadcast that powerful waves destroyed many houses and fishing boats along the coast. Rescue units began assessing the full extent of the damage early Monday, after heavy rains and floodwaters began to recede.
Fongwong has since weakened and moved into the South China Sea. It is now projected to track north towards Taiwan.
Parts of Luzon island, including the capital city of Manila, are still experiencing intermittent heavy rainfall as the storm moves away.
The Philippines recently faced another devastating storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi, which claimed over 224 lives. That earlier disaster prompted the government to declare a national state of emergency.
Experts warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of storms in Southeast Asia are linked to climate change. Rising ocean temperatures contribute to typhoons intensifying faster and producing heavier rainfall.