The Philippines was severely impacted 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 widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest 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 peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
