The Philippines has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. One resident frantically contacted us, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way on Samar island.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is expected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events cause approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
