The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying 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, officials announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
