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 stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
