The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
