🔗 Share this article

The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.

Officials reported that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.

Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations

In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.

“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”

As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and another who died after her home gave way on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.

According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.

Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives and left dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.

Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.

The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.

Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.

Global assessments suggest that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in damage to the country every year.

The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.