The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in losses to the country annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
