Typhoons in the Philippines: Swirling up Catastrophic Destruction
- Illuminate Edu
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
By Briana Ahmad
Edited by Isabella Phillips
Published 12/18/2025
Ferocious winds viciously tore through the homes of millions, sparing nothing in its path of destruction. Heavy rainfall hammered against cities, lashing the ground beneath it. This was the scene observed in November of 2025, when the Philippines and other countries in Asia were hit by disastrous typhoons Fung-Won and Kalmaegi. Millions of people were left displaced and crucial infrastructure was damaged. These typhoons have left a traumatic scar on the physical landscape and the safety of the communities affected.
Typhoons are powerful storms that emerge over warm tropical waters. They are referred to as “hurricanes” and more formally known as “tropical cyclones.” They are referred to differently based on the location of where they originate in the world. Typhoons commonly arise in the western Pacific Ocean in countries such as the Philippines, Japan, and Vietnam.
In order to fuel these monstrous machines, warm ocean water, which is usually found in tropical regions, is needed. This water evaporates or rises up, creating warm, moist air that sets the stage for typhoons. Wind is also a crucial aspect to the formation of typhoons as it aids in the evaporation of water. Water rises, cools, and condenses back into large droplets, creating large cumulonimbus clouds. This process releases heat that further lowers the pressure at the surface of the ocean. The additional heat accelerates wind speeds, and a threshold of 119 km/h classifies it as a typhoon. Earth’s rotation assists with the spinning motion of the typhoon as it causes the winds to rotate around the low pressure focal point. Due to the persistent warmth of the western pacific, typhoons are consistent year-round, with rising temperatures ramping up that number.
Climate change has played an instrumental role in intensifying these devastating storms. First, the warmer water can leave way for higher inputs of energy, leading to higher wind speeds. Additionally, a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture in the air, leading to more intense downpours. The combination of melting glaciers and icebergs from the warmer atmosphere has also led to elevated sea levels, which has worsened coastal flooding. Human activities have accelerated the rise of higher top winds and higher rates of rainfall, making typhoons increasingly dangerous.
Recently, the Philippines was struck with two deadly typhoons that have triggered mass displacement and search rescues. Typhoon Fung-Won was striking in its size, spanning across 1,000 miles or roughly the distance between New York to Miami. This typhoon barreled into Aurora Province on Luzon with sustained winds of 115mph and gusts of 230km/h. Massive amounts of rain were dumped onto homes, leaving around 4,100 houses collapsed or partially damaged. Days after, Typhoon Kalmaegi struck in the same region, leaving people homeless and stranded as significant infrastructure collapsed. In total, these typhoons left 259 dead and thousands in unsuitable conditions.
Currently, schools and government offices are closed due to the extensive damage. President Ferdinan Marcos Jr. has called for a state of emergency and rescue efforts have been implemented to clear roadways and restore power to millions of people. As for the future, the norm of category five storms is looming as humans drive the climate to its brink.
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