The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
