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The island nation has been hit hard by Intense Cyclone Fung-wong, which left at least two people dead and displaced more than 1.4 million individuals.

Authorities reported that the massive storm caused extensive flash flooding, coastal inundation, mudslides, and fierce high-velocity gusts, leading to the evacuation of millions of people across the country.

Widespread Destruction and Rescue Efforts

In Pandan, Catanduanes, a severely affected area, disaster response teams documented floodwaters reaching rooftop levels and residences being swept away by strong flows.

“Our personnel saved 14 individuals who were trapped on the roof surrounded by water 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 saved him and four relatives.”

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

Typhoon Strength and Projected Path

The super typhoon weakened to a severe tropical storm early Monday while moving over the main island, home to the national capital.

Per meteorological authorities, the storm’s sustained wind speed dropped from 115 mph to 102 mph, but gusts were still reaching more than 275 km/h.

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

Relief and Assessment

The country’s emergency management agency stated it was still working to evaluate destruction to infrastructure and homes.

Approximately 6,000 evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate tens of thousands of households.

Previous Storms and Climate Impact

The typhoon hit just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed hundreds of lives with another 135 missing prior to advancing toward Vietnam, where it killed five.

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

The climate crisis is causing tropical storms stronger and common. Fung-wong is the 21st typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Researchers report that the frequency of super-typhoons striking the islands has risen doubled in the past twenty years.

Global assessments indicate that severe weather events result in an average of US$3.5 million in losses for the Philippines annually.

The Philippine president issued a state of emergency last week because of the severe damage from the prior typhoon and anticipated impacts from the new storm.