The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
