The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning on the island and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Researchers report that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
