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The island nation was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and forced the evacuation of more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities reported that the powerful weather system triggered extensive flash flooding, storm surges, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of people nationwide.

Widespread Damage and Rescue Efforts

In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, emergency crews documented rising waters climbing to rooftop levels and residences being swept away by the powerful currents.

“Our personnel rescued fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”

By Monday, authorities confirmed two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and a second individual killed when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The intense storm weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the Philippines’ largest island, home to the national capital.

According to the state weather service, its maximum winds dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The storm system is expected to continue weakening as it moves north toward Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

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

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed at least 224 people with dozens unaccounted for before moving on toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended recently over risks for rescue workers.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to impact the nation this year.

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

International estimates indicate that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in losses to the country every year.

The nation’s leader issued a state of emergency on Thursday because of the extensive devastation caused by Kalmaegi and anticipated impacts from the new storm.