The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
