🔗 Share this article

The Philippines was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Officials stated that the massive storm caused widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.

Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and homes being swept away by strong flows.

“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, saying 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, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at more than 275 km/h.

The cyclone is projected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.

Previous Storms and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

Search operations for the missing persons 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 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.

Researchers have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.

International estimates suggest that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines every year.

The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.