The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
