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The island nation was severely impacted by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced over a million residents.

Officials stated that the powerful weather system caused widespread sudden floods, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the relocation of 1.4 million people across the country.

Extensive Destruction and Rescue Efforts

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

“Our personnel saved fourteen people stranded atop a house engulfed in flood in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, saying his home’s roof was at risk of tearing away by the wind. We saved him along with four family members.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced two fatalities: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way on Samar island.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The intense storm weakened to a typhoon early Monday as it crossed the main island, where the capital is located.

Per meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts peaked at over 170 mph.

The storm system is projected to lose strength while heading north toward Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The national disaster response service stated efforts were ongoing to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Roughly thousands of shelters have been opened to temporarily house tens of thousands of households.

Recent Context and Climate Impact

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives with dozens unaccounted for prior to advancing to Vietnam, where it killed five.

Search operations for those still missing had to be suspended on Sunday due to safety concerns for rescue workers.

The climate crisis is causing cyclones more intense and common. Fung-wong is the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.

Researchers report that the frequency of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled over the last two decades.

Global assessments suggest that intense storms cause approximately millions in dollars in losses for the Philippines every year.

The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.