The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 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, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. 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 in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
