The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.