Super Typhoon Fung-wong Floods Philippine Towns, Kills at Least Five — Over 1.4 Million Evacuated

Super Typhoon Fung-wong Floods Philippine Towns, Kills at Least Five

Entire villages were left submerged and dozens of towns remained without power on Monday after Super Typhoon Fung-wong moved away from the Philippines, killing at least five people and displacing more than a million residents. Cleanup and relief operations stretched from Cagayan in the far north to Catanduanes island more than 1,000 kilometres to the south.

Widespread flooding and evacuations

Fung-wong struck the eastern seaboard late Sunday, uprooting trees and inundating communities along its path. Authorities evacuated more than 1.4 million people nationwide as rivers burst their banks and storm surges washed over coastal towns. In Cagayan province, officials said the Chico and Cagayan rivers overflowed, inundating the small city of Tuguegarao and other riverside communities.

"We received reports around six in the morning that some people were already on their roofs," said provincial rescue chief Rueli Rapsing. "Tuguegarao is underwater now."

Fatalities and damage

At least five people died after landslides and flooding in northern Luzon, including five-year-old twins and an elderly man reported killed in separate mudslides. Another storm-related fatality was recorded on Catanduanes island. The storm arrived just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi swept through the central Philippines, an earlier cyclone that reportedly killed at least 224 people.

Residents described scenes of roaring waves and streets turned into powerful torrents. Verified footage and local reports showed people stranded on rooftops and vehicles swept away in swollen rivers. Search-and-rescue operations in some areas, including parts of Cebu province, were temporarily suspended as Fung-wong approached.

Climate context and aftershocks

Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is contributing to more intense storms: warmer oceans enable faster storm intensification and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, producing heavier rainfall and increased flood risk.

Path toward Taiwan

Fung-wong is turning toward Taiwan, where forecasters expect it to enhance the seasonal northeast monsoon and bring torrential rain to northern and eastern regions. Taiwan's Central Weather Administration warned of up to 350 mm (about 14 inches) of rain in 24 hours in parts of the island; local officials ordered evacuations for nearly 5,000 people in vulnerable eastern townships near Hualien.

President Ferdinand Marcos said the "state of national calamity" declared after Kalmaegi would be extended for a full year to help sustain relief and recovery efforts. Authorities continue to assess damage and coordinate shelter, food and medical support for affected communities.

Key facts

• Deaths: At least 5 confirmed (including children and an elderly man)
• Evacuations: More than 1.4 million people nationwide
• Displacement: Over one million displaced
• Rain forecast for Taiwan: Up to 350 mm (14 in) in 24 hours