Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a state of emergency following Typhoon Kalmaegi’s devastating impact, resulting in at least 114 fatalities and 127 individuals reported missing in central provinces. The recent natural disaster, the deadliest in the country this year, led to tragic deaths primarily from drowning in flash floods, with Cebu province bearing the brunt of the destruction.
Approximately two million people were affected by the typhoon, with over 560,000 villagers displaced, including nearly 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. The state of emergency declaration aims to expedite fund disbursement, prevent food hoarding, and curb overpricing during the crisis.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, with sustained winds reaching up to 130 km/h and gusts of up to 180 km/h, moved away from Palawan province into the South China Sea. Most casualties were reported in Cebu, where flash floods and swollen waterways caused havoc, prompting desperate rescue efforts as residents sought refuge on rooftops.
The calamity resulted in 49 flood-related deaths in Cebu, with additional casualties from landslides and falling debris. Concerns have been raised about the impact of years of quarrying on nearby rivers, exacerbating flooding due to substandard flood control projects in the region.
Cebu province, still recovering from a recent earthquake, declared a state of calamity to facilitate rapid emergency response. As Kalmaegi heads towards Vietnam and Thailand, preparations are underway to mitigate potential damages, with authorities urging precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.