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Tropical Cyclone Matmo and Fengshen
Tropical Cyclone Fengshen on October 17-27, 2025
On October 17-21, according to the Philippine Atmosphere, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), PAGASA monitored INVEST 96W as it intensified into tropical depression then it strengthened into tropical cyclone Fengshen at east of Virac, Catanduanes, the Philippines. Tropical cyclone Fengshen moved westward across the South China Sea in late October 2025, bringing strong winds of 75–102 km/h and gusts up to level 12. On October 22, it was located northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam, and continued moving west-southwest, making landfall between Quang Tri and Da Nang before weakening into a low-pressure area over southern Lao PDR. The cyclone caused heavy rainfall and strong winds from October 22–27, affecting parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, central and southern Lao PDR, and northeastern Thailand. Although tropical cyclone Fengshen did not make landfall in Thailand, the country experienced monsoon-related situations. La Niña conditions in the Pacific are expected to bring above-normal rainfall from October 2025 to February 2026, increasing risks of floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Tropical Cyclone Matmo on October 2-5, 2025
On October 2, 2025, the PAGASA identified a tropical cyclone named Matmo, which was locally named “Paolo”, developing over east of Infanta, Quezon, the Philippine Sea. Moving westward at around 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h and gusts up to
90 km/h, the cyclone brought heavy rainfall as it passed over southern Isabela and northern Aurora on October 3, producing up to 200 mm of rain and coastal surges of 1–3 meters. By October 5, the cyclone continued toward Vietnam and southern China, where winds intensified to levels 12–13 (118–149 km/h). The cyclone caused rough seas, strong winds, flooding, and thunderstorms across affected areas, cooperating preparedness and recovery efforts in both the Philippines and Vietnam, following the recent impacts of tropical cyclone Mitag, Ragasa, and Bualoi.
Damage and losses
Impact on the affected area
Tropical cyclones Matmo and Fengshen severely impacted parts of Luzon, Philippines, affecting over 130,000 to 314,000 people across several regions, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CAR, and Calabarzon. The storms brought torrential rains, strong winds, and storm surges up to 3 meters, causing extensive flooding, landslides, and power outages. Multiple road sections, bridges, and seaports were rendered impassable, with thousands displaced and over 13,000 people sheltering in evacuation centers. At least 8 deaths, 1 injury, and 2 missing persons were reported, while damage assessments to homes and infrastructure were still ongoing.
Severe heavy rains and thunderstorms across northern and central Vietnam, including provinces such as Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Son La, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, and Ho Chi Minh City, triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. At least 15 people were reported dead or missing, with approximately 222,856 houses flooded and over 22,900 hectares of crops damaged. Significant livestock losses were also recorded, together with multiple landslide incidents, flooded roads, and damaged boats in coastal areas. While floodings in several locations have begun to recede, recovery efforts continue amid extensive property and agricultural losses.
Agricultural devastation
Agricultural land:
Affected crops:
Government responses and countermeasures
In response to the impacts of several tropical cyclones, the Vietnamese government approved 140 billion VND (approximately 6.14 million USD) in financial aid for affected provinces, including Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Bac Ninh, under Decision No. 2221/QD-TTg issued on October 8, 2025.
In the Philippines, over 8,000 residents were evacuated from flood and landslide areas in Isabela and Aurora, with school closures and vessel restrictions due to rough seas. The European Union also provided 800,000 EUR (approximately 0.92 million USD) in humanitarian aid for cyclone and flood relief. Both countries focused on strengthening disaster preparedness through early warning systems, infrastructure upgrades, financial resilience mechanisms, and enhanced local and community response capacities.
Sources:
Download PDF file click here: Tropical Cyclone Matmo and Fengshen
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On 13–15 January 2026, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Thailand, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan, and the AFSIS Secretariat, conducted the 1st Meeting of Japan–Thailand Expert Dialogue on Agricultural Statistics. The meeting was held at the Office of Agricultural Economics and field survey activities in Chonburi Province.
On 3–4 December 2025, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat participated in the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Table Top Exercise (TTX) held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
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AFSIS and Development of Human Resources" in Cambodia On 27 November 2025, Mr. Charapon Chantorn, Deputy AFSIS Manager, participated in the Completion and Handover Ceremony of the project “Establishing the Real-Time ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and Development of Human Resources, Phase 3 – Pilot Project on Strategic Crop Forecasting System for Food Security in Cambodia.” The ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and jointly hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Cambodia, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC).
AFSIS Participated in APRSAF-31 to Strengthen Space Technology Cooperation for Regional Food Security On 18–19 November 2025, in Cebu City, the Republic of the Philippines, the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) Secretariat, represented by Mr. Charapon Chantorn, Deputy AFSIS Manager, participated in the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31). The Forum, a key platform for promoting regional cooperation in space technology across the Asia-Pacific region, was co-organized by the Philippines Space Agency (PhilSA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
