The island nation has been hit hard by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water 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 and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, officials confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another who died when her house collapsed in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Projected Path
The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
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 storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments indicate that intense storms result in approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by the prior typhoon and the expected damage from Fung-wong.
