The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration last week due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
