The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped 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.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
