The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
Our team rescued fourteen people stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
