Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused the loss of life for at least 26 individuals in the Philippines, predominantly due to flooding triggered by the storm’s passage through the central region of the country on Tuesday, as per reports from disaster response authorities. The floodwaters have left numerous people stranded on rooftops and submerged vehicles.
Additionally, another six individuals lost their lives in a separate incident in southern Agusan del Sur province when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed while transporting aid to regions affected by Kalmaegi. The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command confirmed that all occupants of the Super Huey chopper, which went down near Loreto town, have been recovered. Details surrounding the crash, including the cause, have not been disclosed.
As of the latest observation, Kalmaegi was located over the coastal waters of Jordan town in Guimaras province, featuring sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts reaching up to 180 km/h. The storm was projected to move towards the South China Sea by late Tuesday or early Wednesday after impacting Palawan in the west.
Deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, reported that the death toll stands at 26 individuals, with many fatalities occurring in Cebu province and other central islands battered by Kalmaegi. The specifics of these casualties are still under verification. Among them was an elderly resident who drowned in Southern Leyte due to floodwaters, leading to a province-wide power outage after the storm made landfall in an eastern town. In central Bohol province, a resident perished after being struck by a fallen tree, according to provincial authorities.
In Cebu, a significant number of residents found themselves trapped on rooftops by floodwaters in the coastal town of Liloan. Cars were either submerged or afloat in another community within Cebu. Gwendolyn Pang, the secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, highlighted the challenges faced in rescuing individuals due to debris and high water levels.
Eastern Samar, one of the areas initially hit by Kalmaegi, witnessed roofs being torn off and about 300 predominantly rural structures damaged by strong winds in the island community of Homonhon. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported. Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan assured that despite the destruction, the community remains resilient.
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated Guiuan, one of the first locations struck by Kalmaegi, resulting in extensive casualties and destruction. The Philippines, being prone to frequent natural disasters, experiences around 20 typhoons and storms annually, in addition to seismic activities and volcanic eruptions, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.