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The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Authorities stated that the massive storm triggered widespread flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million residents nationwide.

Extensive Damage and Emergency Operations

In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews recorded floodwaters reaching the tops of houses and residences being swept away by strong flows.

“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water 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.”

By Monday, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The intense storm weakened to a severe tropical storm on Monday morning as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

Per the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching 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 on buildings and roads.

Roughly 6,000 evacuation centres were activated to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks to emergency personnel.

Global warming is causing tropical storms stronger and frequent. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to impact the nation in 2025.

Scientists report that the frequency of intense cyclones striking the islands has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.

Global assessments indicate that severe weather events cause an average of US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.

The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the extensive devastation from the prior typhoon and the expected damage from the new storm.