CATANDUANES, PHILIPPINES / HONG KONG – Tropical Storm Ramil, also known as Fengshen, is bearing down on the western Pacific, forcing over 9,000 evacuations in the Philippines and prompting typhoon signal preparations in Hong Kong, where authorities may skip T1 and raise a direct T3 warning on Monday, October 20th.
The storm is forecasted to pass near Catanduanes, an island province home to 270,000 people, late Saturday, October 18th, bringing gusts of wind up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and coastal flooding from waves up to 1.2 meters (3.9 feet). Local authorities have ordered residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to evacuate immediately.
Residents of Barangay Osmeña, Viga, Catanduanes, wade through flood on Saturday afternoon, October 18, following heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Ramil (Fengshen). Photos from Jenny Anne Olesco pic.twitter.com/gZii3tA7He
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) October 18, 2025
Fengshen is the latest in a series of destructive systems to hit the Philippines this season. It follows Super Typhoon Ragasa, which flooded vast areas of the Cagayan province in September and left dozens dead. The country remains on high alert after recent earthquakes and multiple storm landfalls almost brought the country to devastation.
As Fengshen moves northwest, Hong Kong’s Observatory said the storm may pass within 800 km (497 miles) of the coastal city by Sunday, October 19th. With a strong monsoon already in place, forecasters may skip the usual T1 alert and directly raise the No. 3 typhoon signal on Monday, October 20th.
Combined effects from Fengshen and the monsoon will bring windy, rainy, and significantly cooler weather to Hong Kong early next week. Temperatures are expected to drop to around 20°C (68°F) in the city, and a few degrees lower in the New Territories.
For context, The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 tropical storms and typhoons annually, many affecting areas where millions live in poverty. Scientists warn that warming oceans are intensifying storms like Fengshen, even when they don’t reach typhoon strength.
Both The Philippines and Hong Kong authorities are closely monitoring Fengshen’s current trajectory and keeping the local residents updated regarding any changes.
