The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
