Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Central Philippines
Philippine authorities reported that Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused at least 114 deaths and left 127 people missing in the country’s central region. Many of the missing are from provinces still recovering from a recent deadly earthquake.
Impact on Cebu Province
The hardest-hit area was the central province of Cebu. There, Typhoon Kalmaegi triggered flash floods and caused rivers and other waterways to overflow, leading to significant destruction.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, confirmed the flash floods and overflowing rivers as primary causes of widespread damage in Cebu.
Additional Tragedies
Among those killed were six people who died in a Philippine Air Force helicopter crash in Agusan del Sur province. The aircraft was en route to deliver humanitarian aid to areas impacted by the typhoon. The military has not disclosed the cause of the accident.
Typhoon Movement and Forecast
- Kalmaegi moved away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea before noon on Wednesday.
- Forecasts indicate the storm is heading toward Vietnam.
Summary
Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused severe flooding in the Philippines, especially in Cebu, resulting in over a hundred deaths and many missing persons amid ongoing recovery from an earthquake.
Author’s note: Typhoon Kalmaegi’s impact comes as vulnerable provinces still contend with earthquake aftermath, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the region.