The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
