The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped 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 north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
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 US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
