The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which left a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the massive storm triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million residents across the country.
In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes washed out by the powerful currents.
Our team rescued 14 individuals stranded on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. One resident frantically contacted us, reporting his home’s roof was about to be ripped off by the wind. We rescued him along with four family members.”
By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: one from drowning in Catanduanes and a second individual who died after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
The intense storm was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.
Per the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.
The storm system is expected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.
The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.
Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house 92,000 families.
Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.
Searches for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has risen by more than 100% in the past twenty years.
International estimates indicate that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in damage to the country annually.
The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.
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