The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
