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The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced over a million residents.

Officials reported that the powerful weather system caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and destructive gale-force winds, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.

Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts

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

“Our personnel rescued 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father frantically contacted us, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away due to the storm. We rescued him along with four family members.”

By Monday, authorities confirmed at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and another who died when her house collapsed on Samar island.

Typhoon Strength and Forecast

The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the Philippines’ largest island, where the capital is located.

According to the state weather service, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at more than 275 km/h.

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

Response and Recovery

The country’s emergency management agency indicated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

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

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 224 people and left another 135 missing before moving on toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones stronger and common. This typhoon marks the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Scientists have found that the rate of super-typhoons hitting the Philippines has increased by more than 100% in the past twenty years.

Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause approximately US$3.5 million in losses to the country every year.

The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration last week due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from Fung-wong.