The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Authorities stated that the massive storm caused widespread sudden floods, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by strong flows.
Our team saved fourteen people stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest 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, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
