The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, officials announced at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
