The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in damage to the country every year.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
