The Philippines is reeling from the catastrophic impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has unleashed devastating flooding across the central region, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 140 people with over a hundred more still missing. The storm is being described as the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country this year.
The hardest-hit area is the province of Cebu, where floodwaters—described by local officials as “unprecedented”—rushed through towns and cities, trapping residents on their roofs and washing away vehicles and homes. Reports indicate that most fatalities were due to drowning as a result of the sudden, powerful flash floods.
In response to the widespread destruction, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially declared a “state of national calamity.” This declaration authorizes the government to utilize emergency funds immediately, impose price ceilings on essential goods to prevent profiteering, and fast-track the procurement of necessary relief supplies.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that nearly 2 million people have been affected by the typhoon’s onslaught, with more than 560,000 villagers displaced and thousands seeking refuge in temporary evacuation shelters.
Furthermore, on nearby Negros Island, the typhoon’s torrential rain triggered dangerous volcanic mudflows from Mount Kanlaon, burying homes and adding to the rising number of casualties.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has since moved out of the Philippine archipelago and is now barreling toward Vietnam, leaving behind a massive humanitarian and recovery challenge for Philippine authorities and aid agencies.
