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The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Authorities reported that the powerful weather system caused widespread flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of 1.4 million people nationwide.

Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences washed out by the powerful currents.

“Our personnel saved fourteen people who were trapped on the roof engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” a disaster-mitigation officer stated. “A father 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.”

As of Monday morning, officials announced two fatalities: one from drowning on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Forecast

The intense storm was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.

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

Response and Recovery

The national disaster response service indicated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Roughly thousands of shelters were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.

Previous Storms and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, that claimed at least 224 people with another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.

Global warming is causing tropical storms more intense and frequent. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.

Scientists report that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.

International estimates suggest that severe weather events cause an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.

The Philippine president declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.