The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon 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 were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
