The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system triggered widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, landslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of residents nationwide.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We rescued him and four relatives.”
As of Monday morning, authorities confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.
Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.
The cyclone is expected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.
Relief and Assessment
The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Approximately thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Previous Storms and Environmental Factors
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.
Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause an average of US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.
The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
