The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is making cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
