Typhoon Kalmaegi Death Toll Climbs to 66 in Central Philippines
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi has risen to 66 across the Philippines, with the central province of Cebu bearing the brunt of widespread flooding triggered by the storm, officials reported Tuesday. Sustained winds reached 112 mph, according to forecasters.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, and provincial officials stated that the majority of fatalities occurred in Cebu province, which was heavily impacted by Kalmaegi. The typhoon caused flash floods and significant swelling of rivers and waterways.
The resulting floodwaters inundated residential communities, forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops and plead for rescue, according to officials. The Philippine Red cross received numerous calls from individuals stranded on their roofs, explained its secretary-general, Gwendolyn Pang, adding that rescue operations were delayed until floodwaters receded to minimize risks to emergency personnel.
Cebu, home to over 2.4 million people, has declared a state of calamity to expedite the disbursement of emergency funds. The province is still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30th that resulted in at least 79 deaths and displaced thousands due to collapsed or damaged homes. Hundreds of earthquake-displaced residents in northern Cebu were proactively moved from temporary tents to more secure evacuation shelters prior to the typhoon’s arrival.
Additional deaths were reported in Southern Leyte province, where an elderly resident drowned in floodwaters after Kalmaegi made landfall. In Bohol province, a resident died after being struck by a fallen tree.
Prior to the typhoon’s landfall, over 387,000 people had evacuated to safer locations in eastern and central Philippine provinces, heeding warnings of torrential rainfall, destructive winds, and potential storm surges of up to three meters.
The coast guard reported that ferry and fishing boat travel was suspended due to hazardous sea conditions, stranding over 3,500 passengers and cargo truck drivers at nearly 100 seaports. At least 186 domestic flights were also cancelled.
The Philippines experiences approximately 20 typhoons and storms annually and is also prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the world’s most disaster-vulnerable nations.
