The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing 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.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
