In early November 2025, the Philippines found itself in the crosshairs of two intense tropical systems in quick succession: firstly, Typhoon Kalmaegi (known locally as “Tino”) and then Typhoon Fung‑wong (locally “Uwan”). Authorities faced one of the largest and most powerful storms to threaten the archipelago this year, Typhoon Fung-wong, at a time when disaster-response resources were already stretched.
Fung-wong made landfall on the north-eastern coast of Luzon (in the province of Aurora) on 9 November, after intensifying rapidly over the Pacific. The national weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), reported maximum sustained winds of around 185 km/h (115 mph) with gusts up to 230 km/h (143 mph) and a circulation spanning approximately 1 500–1 800 km in diameter. The storm’s outer bands had already begun lashing eastern provinces, bringing torrential rain and raising concerns of flooding, landslides and storm surges of up to five metres in some coastal zones.
Well over one million residents were evacuated ahead of the storm’s arrival. Officials warned that up to 30 million people could be at risk given the storm’s expansive radius and the country’s vulnerability. At least two fatalities have been confirmed so far; the full extent of human and material damage remains under assessment.
The timing of Fung-wong is particularly concerning, as the Philippines had just begun to recover from the devastating effects of Kalmaegi last week, which claimed hundreds of lives and left thousands more displaced. Back-to-back storms like these increase the potential for compound disasters: weakened infrastructure, soils already saturated and creating a greater risk of landslides, and reduced shelter capacity.
From a global standpoint, Fung-wong hints at two larger problems. The first, and more immediate issue, is both its size and rapid intensification, both of which speak to the increasingly serious issues that tropical cyclones present in a warming climate. As scientists and meteorologists observe, storms are getting stronger and more intense, and the Philippines is among the most disaster-vulnerable countries in the world. The second issue raised is the need for effective early warning systems, evacuation protocols, and resilient infrastructures in disaster-vulnerable nations.
As recovery starts to take place, the Philippines will want to focus on restoring services, assessing damages, and supporting displaced communities while rebuilding a resilient country for future disasters. Globally, this storm points out the need for greater investment in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness as well.
