Originating from a tropical disturbance located between Chuuk and Pohnpei, Ruth developed into a depression on October 19, Steadily intensifying, after Ruth tracked west-northwestward across the Philippine Sea, it undergone rapid intensification, peaking as a violent typhoon with sustained winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a minimum pressure of 892 hPa (26.3 inHg) just a few days later.

Ruth prompted the evacuation of 13,600 residents living near Mount Pinatubo due to fears of mudslides, while authorities issued Public Storm Warning Signals, including the first instance of PSWS #4.

Major cities like Baguio experienced heavy damage, with several fatalities occurring due to falling trees and mudslides.

The capital, Manila, suffered extensive power outages which affected over 6 million residents, while heavy rainfall led to catastrophic flooding and landslides, notably on Kennon Road.

In response to the disaster, President Corazon Aquino declared a state of calamity in affected regions and initiated relief efforts.

The system that later became Typhoon Ruth originated from a tropical disturbance which was located between the islands of Chuuk State and Pohnpei on October.

Steadily deepening throughout the next few days, convective activity associated with the disturbance began increasing as it moved west-northwestward, crossing the Caroline Islands.

[2] Intensifying steadily as it moved northwestward between Guam and Ulithi,[2] the depression was named Ruth on October 22 as it had produced 1-minute sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph).

[3][4] Developing into a severe tropical storm at 06:00 UTC on October 22,[3] as Ruth tracked westwards, later that day, satellite imagery indicated that an eye was forming, showing that it intensified into a typhoon.

[5][3] Due to concerns about potential mudslides, authorities evacuated 13,600 people who were living less than 10 km (6.2 mi) from Mount Pinatubo to safer areas.

[5] On October 28, a spokesman for the Taiwanese government noted that the typhoon caused them to lose contact with the cargo ship Tung Leng and its crewmen of 21, south of Penghu.

[2] Elsewhere, the 14 Filipino and 4 Japanese sailors of the Southern Cross were saved after the freighter sank northeast of Taiwan due to heavy seas produced.

[22] The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, headed by American ambassador Frank G. Wisner, donated USD$25,000 to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to be used for relief supplies.