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The Philippines was severely impacted by Super Typhoon Fung-wong, resulting in a minimum of two fatalities and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities stated that the powerful weather system caused extensive sudden floods, storm surges, landslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, prompting the evacuation of millions of residents across the country.

Widespread Damage and Emergency Operations

In Pandan, Catanduanes, one of the worst-hit regions, disaster response teams recorded floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and homes being swept away by the powerful currents.

Our team saved fourteen people stranded atop a house surrounded by water in a flood-prone area,” an emergency official stated. “A father also called in panic, saying the roof of his house was about to be ripped off due to the storm. We rescued him and four relatives.”

As of Monday morning, authorities announced at least two deaths: a drowning victim in Catanduanes and another killed after her home gave way in eastern Samar.

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The super typhoon weakened to a typhoon on Monday morning while moving over the main island, where the capital is located.

According to meteorological authorities, its maximum winds dropped from 185 km/h to 165 km/h, but gusts were still reaching over 170 mph.

The storm system is projected to lose strength as it moves in the direction of Taiwan.

Response and Recovery

The national disaster response service indicated efforts were ongoing to assess damage on buildings and roads.

Approximately thousands of shelters were activated to accommodate 92,000 families.

Previous Storms and Environmental Factors

Fung-wong struck shortly following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives and left another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, causing five deaths there.

Search operations for the missing persons were halted on Sunday over risks for rescue workers.

Global warming is making tropical storms more intense and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Researchers have found that the rate of intense cyclones hitting the Philippines has risen doubled in the past twenty years.

International estimates indicate that intense storms result in approximately US$3.5 million in damage for the Philippines every year.

The Philippine president declared an emergency declaration on Thursday due to the severe damage from Kalmaegi and the expected damage from the new storm.