Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Central Philippines, Death Toll Rises to 140

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi‘s destruction in the central Philippines has reached at least 140, with another 127 individuals reported missing. The typhoon unleashed heavy flooding on Tuesday, primarily affecting the central province of Cebu, where the worst damages occurred.

Officials announced the grim figures on Thursday, indicating that 114 deaths were officially confirmed by the national civil defense office, while Cebu authorities reported an additional 28 fatalities. Many victims were caught in flash floods that rose unexpectedly, leaving residents scrambling for safety.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, stated that a majority of the deaths in Cebu were due to drowning. The situation was exacerbated by heavy rain that caused rivers to overflow, flooding villages and turning streets into rivers. Witnesses described harrowing scenes of families taking refuge on rooftops as floodwaters surged.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro noted, “We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but the water is what’s truly putting our people at risk.” She declared a state of calamity to streamline disaster relief efforts.

Among the casualties, six military personnel died when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed while on a relief mission in the southern province of Agusan del Sur. A search operation was immediately launched after communication was lost with the aircraft.

The typhoon, locally referred to as Tino, made landfall with winds boasting speeds over 80 mph (130 km/h). Although it has since weakened, the impact on Cebu has been catastrophic, with reports of significant structural damage, including collapsed buildings and swept-away vehicles.

Thousands of people have been displaced, with the national disaster agency reporting that over 400,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate. Many residents described their experiences, like Jel-an Moira Servas, who recalled how her house flooded within minutes, trapping her family inside.

As residents began returning to their homes on Thursday, they confronted the daunting task of cleanup amid the destruction. Streets previously covered in floodwaters were now strewn with debris and mud.

Rescue operations continued, with volunteers and officials working tirelessly to assist those in need. Local authorities are preparing for Kalmaegi to move toward Vietnam, where heavy rains and flooding have already taken a toll on the region.