🔗 Share this article

The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Officials stated that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and destructive high-velocity gusts, leading to the relocation of millions of residents across the country.

Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house engulfed in flood in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father frantically contacted us, 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 at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.

According to meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

The cyclone is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction on buildings and roads.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed 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 recently over risks to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2025.

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

Global assessments indicate that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage to the country every year.

The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.