The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities stated that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented rising waters climbing to the tops of houses and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and a second individual who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Typhoon Strength and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The national disaster response service stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms more intense and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that severe weather events result in an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country annually.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
