The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that severe weather events result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.
