The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
