The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.
Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce gale-force winds, leading to the relocation of millions of people across the country.
Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts
In the town of Pandan, one of the worst-hit regions, emergency crews documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.
“Our personnel rescued fourteen people who were trapped atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” a disaster-mitigation officer explained. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”
As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: one from drowning in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.
Storm Intensity and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the main island, home to the national capital.
According to the state weather service, 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 storm system is projected to continue weakening while heading in the direction of 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 tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit shortly following another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people and left dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for those still missing were halted recently due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.
Scientists have found that the frequency of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% over the last two decades.
International estimates indicate that severe weather events result in approximately millions in dollars in damage for the Philippines annually.
The nation’s leader declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.
