The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
