Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a state of emergency following Typhoon Kalmaegi’s devastating impact on central provinces, resulting in at least 114 fatalities and 127 individuals reported missing, marking the most severe natural disaster in the country this year.
The majority of the casualties occurred due to drowning in flash floods, particularly in the heavily affected province of Cebu, before the cyclone exited the archipelago and moved towards the South China Sea. Nearly two million people were affected by the typhoon, with over 560,000 villagers displaced, including around 450,000 individuals evacuated to emergency shelters.
The state of emergency declaration is intended to expedite fund disbursement by the government, aiming to prevent food hoarding and price gouging. Kalmaegi moved away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea with sustained winds reaching up to 130 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h.
According to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, and local officials, the highest number of casualties was reported in Cebu, where the typhoon triggered flash floods and caused rivers to swell. The resulting floods forced residents to seek refuge on roofs, with many making distress calls for rescue, as recounted by Gwendolyn Pang, the secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross.
In Cebu, at least 49 individuals perished in floods, while others lost their lives due to landslides and falling debris. Additionally, 62 people were reported missing in the nearby provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro highlighted the unexpected nature of flash floods despite efforts to prepare for the typhoon’s impact.
Concerns have been raised regarding flood control projects in Cebu, exacerbated by years of quarrying causing river blockages and substandard infrastructure. The region, which is still recovering from a recent earthquake, has declared a state of calamity to expedite emergency aid distribution.
As Typhoon Kalmaegi heads towards Vietnam and Thailand, preparations are underway in these countries to mitigate potential damage from heavy rainfall and associated hazards. The storm’s trajectory is expected to impact these regions in the coming days, posing further challenges amid the ongoing recovery efforts in the affected areas.
