Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused the loss of at least 26 lives in the Philippines, primarily due to flooding triggered by the storm’s passage through the central regions of the country on Tuesday, as confirmed by disaster response authorities. Numerous individuals found themselves stranded on rooftops and vehicles submerged in floodwaters.
Moreover, six fatalities were recorded following a Philippine Air Force helicopter crash in a distinct incident in southern Agusan del Sur province while en route to deliver humanitarian aid to regions affected by Kalmaegi. The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command stated that all occupants of the crashed Super Huey chopper near Loreto town were found deceased after a search operation. No further details regarding the crash’s cause were provided.
As of the latest update, Kalmaegi was located above the coastal waters of Jordan town in Guimaras province, with sustained winds reaching 130 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h. The typhoon was anticipated to move towards the South China Sea by late Tuesday or early Wednesday following its impact on Palawan province.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, disclosed that at least 26 fatalities had been reported, with many casualties occurring in Cebu province and other central islands affected by Kalmaegi. Details surrounding these deaths were still under verification.
Among the deceased was an elderly individual who drowned in floodwaters in Southern Leyte, where a widespread power outage was noted subsequent to the typhoon’s landfall in an eastern town at midnight. Additionally, an individual lost their life after being struck by a fallen tree in central Bohol province, according to provincial officials.
Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, relayed that an undisclosed number of residents were marooned on rooftops due to flooding in Liloan, Cebu, with submerged cars in another community. The recovery process was hindered by the presence of debris and floating vehicles, making rescue operations challenging.
In regions like Eastern Samar, which bore the initial impact of Kalmaegi, approximately 300 predominantly rural shanties suffered roof damage or loss due to strong winds. However, Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan confirmed no reported casualties or injuries, emphasizing the community’s resilience in overcoming adversities.
The Philippines, being susceptible to natural calamities, faces around 20 typhoons and storms annually alongside seismic activities and numerous active volcanoes. The country’s history of enduring such disasters underscores the need for robust disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
