The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded rising waters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.
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 more than 275 km/h.
The cyclone is projected to continue weakening while heading north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Recent Context and Climate Impact
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.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines every year.
The Philippine president issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
