The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
