The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials stated that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people nationwide.
Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm 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 dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
Global warming is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
