The system was first monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on October 12 as a tropical depression. However,it was subsequently downgraded to a low-pressure area,prompting the JMA to cease advisories three days later,while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) continued to monitor it. On October 16,the JMA reissued advisories as it moved into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),where it was assigned the local name Ramil by the Philippine Atmospheric,Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Although the cyclone continued to intensify,the presence of dry air since limited its potential for further development. It made landfall four times in the Luzon area on October 17 and 18 before reemerging over the South China Sea,where it gradually weakened before dissipating off the coast of Vietnam on October 23.
Fengshen generated extensive flooding and landslides in the Philippines that left at least seven people dead and two others missing.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On October 12, the JMA began tracking a tropical depression that had formed near 5°N148°E / 5°N 148°E / 5; 148.[1] The JTWC followed later that day, noting poorly organized convection concentrated along the southern periphery of the system. The depression was situated in a moderately favorable environment, characterized by very warm sea surface temperatures, moderate equatorward outflow, and low vertical wind shear.[2] However, within a few hours, the JMA assessed that the system had weakened into a low-pressure area and subsequently discontinued advisories on October 15. The JTWC continued monitoring the disturbance as it passed south of Guam, with satellite imagery revealing a wave-like structure and no defined low-level circulation center (LLCC), despite the system remaining in a conducive environment.[3]
On October 16, the JMA reissued advisories and resumed tracking the system as it moved westward toward the eastern Philippines.[4] The disturbance entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 15:00 PHT (07:00 UTC),[5] and was assigned the local name Ramil early the following day.[6] Satellite imagery indicated a broad LLCC consolidating within persistent convection.[7] A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA) was issued at 03:00 UTC, indicating a high probability of further development.[8] Although the system was supported by high sea surface temperatures and weak vertical wind shear, the presence of dry air in the surrounding environment limited its intensification, resulting in neutral development conditions.[9] The system continued moving westward along the southern edge of a subtropical ridge.[10]
At 18:00 UTC on October 17, the JMA upgraded the system to a tropical storm, assigning it the international name Fengshen, due to favorable environmental conditions promoting further development.[11][12] The JTWC began issuing advisories at 03:00 UTC on October 18, classifying Fengshen as a tropical depression and assigning it the identifier 30W.[13] Convection obscuring the center suggested a consolidating system, though the LLCC remained weakly defined.[14] Fengshen slightly weakened as it approached Northern Samar,[15] making landfall near Gubat, Sorsogon around 16:00 PHT (08:00 UTC).[16] Shortly after landfall, the JTWC reported a complex structure, indicating a tilted vortex and the potential presence of multiple circulation centers. The LLCC was located off the northeastern coast of Samar. Despite favorable environmental conditions, interaction with land and a fragile vortex hindered further intensification.[17] Despite this, the JTWC said the conditions became favorable six hours later and would be highly favorable if not for the proximity to land.[18] The agency also upgraded the cyclone into a tropical storm at 15:00 UTC that same day.[19] The storm then tracked northwestwards, crossing inland through Bicol Region.[20] The JTWC reported that the LLCC was fully obscured with a poorly organized structure, containing fragmented bands. These conditions, among other factors gave the system a marginally unfavorable environment.[21] The next day, the storm made landfall in Alabat at 03:00 PHT (19:00 UTC the previous day)[22] and later in Mauban on 07:30 PHT (23:30 UTC the previous day). Three hours later, the system resurfaced over Manila Bay before it made a fourth landfall at Samal, Bataan around 12:30 PHT (04:30 UTC).[23] The JTWC also indicated that the system had improved banding wrapping into the LLCC with convection which has begun to consolidate; terrain interaction still caused the system to have an unfavorable environment.[24] Shortly after, the JTWC reported that the system was primed for rapid intensification, yet the LLCC was weakly defined.[25] At 15:00 UTC on October 19, the system was downgraded into a tropical depression by the JTWC but was again upgraded six hours later due to its farther distance from land.[26][27] The storm rapidly consolidated with deep convection in a much favorable environment.[28] Fengshen then tracked westwards due to a subtropical steering ridge to the northwest of the system.[29] At 03:00 JST (18:00 UTC),[datemissing] Fengshen peaked as a severe tropical storm as it moves westwards. Fengshen then began to gradually weaken as dry air and southwesterly windshear hindered its development.[30] It eventually dissipated off the coast of Vietnam on October 23.[31]
Preparations
Philippines
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel in the Bicol Region, while the region's PCG district was placed on heightened alert.[32][33] The district activated two deployable response groups to Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.[34] Face-to-face classes in the province of Albay were suspended by order of Governor Noel Rosal.[35] The provincial government later ordered preemptive evacuations, which were carried out in areas such as Pio Duran.[36][37] In affected areas, residents set up temporary shelters, including tents in Barangay Caratagan, Pio Duran.[38]
In Camarines Sur, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) raised the alert level to red, prompting local authorities to intensify monitoring and emergency operations.[39] The PDRRMC in Catanduanes prepared food and relief supplies, monitored the cyclone's approach, and suspended classes throughout the province while 9,000 people in the province evacuated to higher ground.[40][41] The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bicol advised the public to avoid non-essential land travel.[42] The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) initiated preparations to ensure minimal impact on power infrastructure.[43] Meanwhile, the Bicol regional police activated its emergency response teams in anticipation of the storm's effects, with a total of 1,328 personnel placed on standby.[44] The Department of Health raised a code white alert, monitoring the accessibility of medicines and equipment.[45] On October 18, 41 class suspensions, all in Calabarzon, were recorded.[46] The next day, two more class suspensions were recorded in Catanduanes. A total of 22,311 individuals evacuated: 366 of them were in Calabarzon while the rest were from Albay, Catanduanes, and Masbate.[47]
Taiwan
The Extremely Heavy Rain Advisory was issued for Ilan, New Taipei and Taipei on 20 October under the combined effect of the northeast monsoon and Fengshen.[48] Due to the state of barrier lakes and the heavy rain 991 people were evacuated on 20 October from Hwalien, New Taipei and Taipei.[48]
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) started warning members of the public as early as October 15 with regards of the forthcoming combined effect of the northeast monsoon and the tropical cyclone.[49] The Strong Monsoon Signal[zh] was hoisted at 22:50 HKT (14:50 UTC) on 19 October [50] and was replaced with the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 17:20 HKT (09:20 UTC) the following day.[51] The Strong Monsoon Signal was reissued on 21 October at 18:20 HKT (10:20 UTC).[52]
Macau
The Strong Monsoon Signal[zh-tw] was hoisted at 00:00 MST on 20 October (16:00 UTC).[53] and was replaced by the No. 3 Signal at 19:00 MST (11:00 UTC).[54] The Strong Monsoon Signal was reissued at 17:00 MST (09:00 UTC) the next day.[55]
Impact and aftermath
Philippines
Within 24 hours, Fengshen generated 400.7mm (15.78in) of rain in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and 365.5mm (14.39in) of rain in Roxas City, which was greater then the monthly average in those areas.[56] The PCG in Bicol reported that 757 passengers were stranded in the region along with 108 rolling cargoes and five vessels on October 17.[57] The next day, 3,239 passengers were stranded nationally while 12 seaports in Calabarzon were shut down.[58] Floods were caused in Iloilo and Catanduanes.[59][60] Two transmission lines in Quezon were unavailable.[61] A 23-year-old woman drowned from slipping in a creek in Capiz.[62] Another death was recorded in Roxas City when a 44-year-old man got swept away by floodwaters.[63] A family of five died when a tree fell in their house in Pitogo, Quezon.[64] The total number of deaths was seven; two from Western Visayas and five from Calabarzon. Two individuals were declared missing.[65] Around 375 classrooms were damaged, of which 118 were destroyed.[66]
Thirty-three residents in flooded areas in Roxas City were rescued.[67] A state of calamity was declared in the city.[68] Water levels in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, were inspected by local officials while officials in Capiz did the same.[69][70] The Department of Social Welfare and Development of Romblon prepared 25,000 food packs for affected communities.[71]
↑ Warning and Summary 121800 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 12, 2025. Archived from the original on October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
↑ Warning and Summary 160000 (Report). Japan Meteorological Agency. October 16, 2025. Archived from the original on October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
