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The Philippines has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of over a million residents.

Officials stated that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.

Widespread Destruction and Emergency Operations

In the town of Pandan, a severely affected area, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters climbing to rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.

“Our personnel saved 14 individuals stranded on the roof surrounded by water in a low-lying neighbourhood,” an emergency official explained. “A father also called in panic, reporting the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We saved him along with four family members.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim on the island and a second individual killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Storm Intensity and Projected Path

The super typhoon was downgraded to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, though wind bursts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves north toward Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The country’s emergency management agency indicated it was still working to assess damage on buildings and roads.

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

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck just days after another severe storm, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing to Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Searches for the missing persons had to be suspended recently over risks to emergency personnel.

The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. This typhoon marks the twenty-first storm to impact the nation in 2025.

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

International estimates suggest that intense storms cause an average of millions in dollars in damage to the country annually.

The Philippine president issued an emergency declaration on Thursday because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from Fung-wong.