The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
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, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
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, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists report that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
