The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
