Twin typhoons Kalmaegi, Fung Wong leave over 220 dead in Philippines
Successive Typhoons Kalmaegi and Fung Wong battered the disaster-prone Philippines in early November, leaving behind more than 220 dead and a trail of destruction in the northern and central major islands.
First to hit was Kalmaegi, which made landfall eight times across the Visayas island group, destroying much of the crop there, as well as millions of pesos’ worth of infrastructure and private property.
Not long after Kalmaegi exited the Philippine area of responsibility, Fung Wong emerged, which eventually developed into a super typhoon. Its effects on the Philippines were more subdued, though two were still reported dead, while half a million were displaced.
Due to the extent of the typhoons, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a 1-year state of national calamity for the country. Prices of essential products have also been put on freeze.
Situated beside the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines experiences an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually. It also sits on the so-called Ring of Fire, making it prone to seismic and volcanic activity.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
