The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
