Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a state of emergency following the aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in the loss of at least 114 lives and left 127 individuals missing in the central regions, marking the deadliest natural calamity in the country this year.
The majority of the casualties succumbed to drowning in sudden floods, particularly in the severely impacted province of Cebu, before the typhoon exited the archipelago into the South China Sea. Approximately two million people were affected by the typhoon’s impact, leading to the displacement of over 560,000 residents, with nearly 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters.
The state of emergency declaration is aimed at expediting fund allocation by the government, while also addressing concerns such as preventing food hoarding and price inflation. Kalmaegi transitioned away from western Palawan province towards the South China Sea, registering sustained winds of up to 130 km/h and gusts reaching 180 km/h, according to meteorological reports.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, along with provincial authorities, disclosed that the highest number of fatalities occurred in Cebu, where the typhoon struck on Tuesday, triggering flash floods and swelling rivers and water bodies. The resultant flooding engulfed residential areas, compelling residents to seek safety on rooftops, signaling distress for urgent rescue operations.
The Philippine Red Cross received numerous distress calls from individuals stranded on rooftops in Cebu, seeking immediate assistance. In addition to drowning incidents, fatalities were also reported due to landslides and falling debris, with several individuals still unaccounted for in Cebu as well as neighboring provinces.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro highlighted potential exacerbation of the situation due to years of quarrying causing river blockages and inadequate flood control initiatives. The region had recently declared a state of calamity to facilitate faster emergency fund dispersal. Notably, Cebu had been recovering from a prior earthquake before being struck by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which spared some previously affected areas from further flooding.
As Typhoon Kalmaegi progresses towards Vietnam and Thailand, preparations for anticipated heavy rainfall and potential disasters are underway in the affected regions. The continuous onslaught of natural calamities underscores the vulnerability of the Philippines, a country regularly facing typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activities.
