The island nation 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 reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”
By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
