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Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc in the central Philippines, leaving at least 85 people dead and 75 others missing, according to officials. The storm caused widespread flooding that trapped many residents on their rooftops and swept away vehicles, particularly in Cebu province, which was still recovering from a devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake in September. Among the fatalities were six crew members of a Philippine Air Force helicopter that crashed during a disaster response mission in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao island; the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Kalmaegi moved away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea by midday Wednesday, carrying sustained winds of up to 130 km/h and gusts reaching 180 km/h. The Philippines experiences about 20 tropical storms annually, and this latest disaster adds to a challenging period marked by earthquakes and severe weather events over recent months. In September, Super Typhoon Ragasa hit northern Luzon, shutting down schools and government offices due to intense winds and heavy rain.
Most of the deaths were reported in Cebu, where flash floods caused rivers and waterways to overflow, submerging residential areas and forcing people to seek refuge on rooftops. The Philippine Red Cross reported numerous rescue calls from stranded residents needing urgent evacuation. In Cebu alone, 49 people drowned, and others died due to landslides and debris. Additionally, 13 people were missing there, while 62 others were reported missing in the nearby provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro expressed how despite preparations, the sudden flash floods overwhelmed the province. Volunteer rescuer Caloy Ramirez described the scene as unrecognizable, with floodwaters engulfing upscale riverside neighborhoods and turning streets into chaotic areas filled with overturned vehicles and wrecked homes. Many residents scrambled to their roofs in panic as floodwaters rapidly rose, with some using boats to be rescued. Northern Cebu, hard-hit by the earlier earthquake, was mostly spared from flooding damage this time, thanks to improved evacuation shelters for displaced residents.
Social media videos circulated showing severe flooding in Cebu City, with cars piled atop each other after being swept away by the water. People recounted anxiety as the floodwaters kept rising, forcing them to move from ground floors to roofs for safety. Rescue efforts involved navigating knee-deep water and deploying boats to retrieve stranded individuals. The state of emergency declared in Cebu aims to hasten the release of funds for relief and recovery.
As Kalmaegi moves on, central Vietnam, already battling record rains and floods, is preparing for more heavy downpours. Authorities there have readied shelters, stockpiled food, and called fishing boats back to shore. The storm is forecasted to reach Vietnam’s coast by Friday morning. Meanwhile, Thailand’s weather agency warned of heavy rains expected to cause flash floods, landslides, and river overflows in northern, eastern, and central regions starting Friday and continuing over the weekend.
