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.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of millions of residents across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, 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 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is making cyclones stronger and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
