MANILA, Philippines (AP) — On Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines declared a state of emergency following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has resulted in at least 114 fatalities and left hundreds missing in the central provinces. This natural disaster marks the deadliest of the year for the archipelago, with significant impacts particularly felt in the central province of Cebu.
The majority of the deaths were attributed to drowning in flash floods triggered by the typhoon. As of the latest reports, 127 individuals remain missing, with many of them last seen in Cebu, which was severely affected by the storm. The tropical cyclone exited the region on Wednesday, moving into the South China Sea.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that nearly 2 million people were impacted by Typhoon Kalmaegi, with over 560,000 villagers displaced. Among those, approximately 450,000 were evacuated to emergency shelters. In response to this crisis, Marcos's declaration of a "state of national calamity" will expedite the disbursement of emergency funds and help curb food hoarding and price increases.
As the nation grapples with the immediate consequences of Kalmaegi, disaster-response officials have raised alarms about another tropical cyclone forming in the Pacific, which could potentially intensify into a super typhoon and threaten the northern Philippines early next week.
Among the deceased were six individuals who lost their lives when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur while on a humanitarian mission in response to Typhoon Kalmaegi. The military has not provided information regarding the cause of the crash.
The typhoon caused unprecedented flooding in Cebu province, inundating residential areas and forcing residents onto their rooftops as they awaited rescue. Officials reported that at least 71 deaths occurred in Cebu alone, with 65 individuals still unaccounted for and an additional 69 injured. Furthermore, 62 people were reported missing in the neighboring province of Negros Occidental.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, speaking with The Associated Press, acknowledged the challenges faced during the disaster response. She stated, "We did everything we can for the typhoon but, you know, there are really some unexpected things like flash floods." She mentioned that prior environmental issues, such as years of quarrying that clogged nearby rivers and inadequate flood control measures, may have exacerbated the flooding.
The recent disaster comes on the heels of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30, resulting in at least 79 fatalities and extensive displacement as homes were damaged or destroyed. Many residents from the northern regions, who were still recovering from the earthquake, had been relocated to more robust shelters prior to the onset of the typhoon, mitigating some of the immediate impacts.
In terms of transportation disruptions, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that ferries and fishing boats were prohibited from setting out into increasingly rough seas, stranding over 3,500 passengers and cargo truck drivers at nearly 100 seaports. Additionally, at least 186 domestic flights were canceled as a precautionary measure due to the typhoon.
The Philippines is known for being one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, facing approximately 20 typhoons and storms annually, in addition to regular seismic activity and the presence of active volcanoes. These factors continually pose significant risks to the population and infrastructure throughout the nation.
