Typhoon Kalmaegi has resulted in the loss of 26 lives in the Philippines, primarily due to flooding triggered by the storm’s passage through the central part of the country on Tuesday, as per disaster response authorities. The floodwaters stranded numerous individuals on their rooftops and submerged vehicles.
Additionally, six individuals lost their lives when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed while delivering humanitarian assistance to areas impacted by Kalmaegi in southern Agusan del Sur province. The incident occurred separately from the storm’s path.
The casualties from the helicopter crash near Loreto town were all recovered following a search, according to the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command. However, specific details, including the cause of the crash, were not disclosed.
Kalmaegi, with sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts reaching up to 180 km/h, was last observed over the coastal waters of Jordan town in Guimaras province. The storm was anticipated to move towards the South China Sea after affecting Palawan province.
Numerous fatalities were reported due to flooding, with at least 26 individuals confirmed dead, mostly in Cebu province and other central island provinces ravaged by Kalmaegi. The details surrounding these deaths are still being confirmed, as stated by Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, the deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence.
Among the victims was an elderly resident who drowned in floodwaters in Southern Leyte, where a province-wide power outage was recorded after Kalmaegi made landfall in one of its eastern towns. Another individual perished after being struck by a falling tree in central Bohol province.
In Cebu, many residents found themselves stranded on rooftops due to flooding in Liloan, with cars either submerged or floating in another community. Gwendolyn Pang, the secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, mentioned the challenges faced in rescuing individuals due to debris and flooded conditions.
The aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction, affecting regions still recovering from previous disasters. Despite the damage caused by the storm, communities like Homonhon in Eastern Samar managed to withstand the strong winds that damaged numerous shanties without any reported casualties.
The Philippines remains vulnerable to natural disasters, with its frequent encounters with typhoons, earthquakes, and active volcanoes. The country’s resilience is tested time and again by these calamities, highlighting the need for ongoing preparedness and response efforts.
