The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood 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 by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
