The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.
Officials stated that the massive storm caused extensive sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of 1.4 million people across the country.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations
In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded rising waters climbing to 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,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”
By Monday, officials announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.
Typhoon Strength and Forecast
The super typhoon was downgraded to a severe tropical storm early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.
According to the state weather service, its maximum winds decreased from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts peaked at over 170 mph.
The storm system is projected to continue weakening as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.
Response and Recovery
The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.
Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to accommodate tens of thousands of households.
Previous Storms and Climate Impact
The typhoon hit just days after another severe storm, that claimed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.
Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.
The climate crisis is making cyclones more intense and frequent. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Researchers report that the rate of super-typhoons striking the islands has increased doubled in the past twenty years.
International estimates suggest that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.
The nation’s leader issued an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.
