• Source:JND
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A powerful Typhoon Kalmaegi has unleashed widespread destruction across the central Philippines, killing at least 40 people and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Severe flooding has inundated entire towns on the densely populated island of Cebu, where the majority of casualties have been reported. Officials warn the death toll may rise as search and rescue operations continue. 

Videos circulating online show residents stranded on rooftops as muddy torrents sweep away cars, trucks, and even shipping containers. Provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro described the flooding as “unprecedented,” saying authorities had expected strong winds, not catastrophic water levels, to be the biggest threat.

In the 24 hours before landfall, the area around Cebu City recorded 183 millimetres of rainfall, exceeding its typical monthly average of 131 millimetres. “The floodwaters are just devastating,” Baricuatro said. Civil Defence Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro confirmed 21 deaths in Cebu alone, many caused by drowning. 

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Tragic Helicopter Crash During Relief Mission

Adding to the tragedy, a Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter deployed for humanitarian support crashed near Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province in northern Mindanao. Six crew members were killed, according to military statements. Officials have not disclosed the cause, but investigations are underway. 

Flooding and power outages have been reported in several provinces. In Southern Leyte, an elderly resident drowned as water engulfed parts of their home. In Bohol, another victim died after being struck by a falling tree.

Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross, told local media that several residents remained stranded on rooftops in the coastal town of Liloan, where submerged vehicles floated through streets turned into rivers.

Storm Path And Forecast

Kalmaegi was last tracked over coastal waters near Jordan town in Guimaras province. It is currently producing sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph), with gusts reaching 180 km/h (112 mph). Meteorologists expect the typhoon to move into the South China Sea late Tuesday or early Wednesday after grazing Palawan.

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Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, underscoring the nation’s vulnerability to extreme weather driven by changing climate conditions.

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