The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted recently due to safety concerns to emergency personnel.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
