The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
