The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying 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, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
