Post by : Rameen Ariff

At least 66 people have died after Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed severe flooding across the Philippines, with Cebu province accounting for 49 confirmed fatalities and numerous residents still reported missing.

Officials said floodwaters described as unprecedented swept through densely populated towns, submerging homes, flipping vehicles and displacing large shipping containers. Emergency teams are prioritising debris clearance and the reopening of key roads blocked by the deluge.

"The urban centres were hit hardest, especially the more built-up districts," said Rafaelito Alejandro, a senior civil defence administrator, noting that while flood levels have started to fall, clearing obstructions to restore safe movement remains a major task.

People in Cebu recounted scenes of ruin as they began salvaging what they could from homes and businesses. Shop owner Reynaldo Vergara, 53, said everything he owned was carried away. "The river surged in the early hours; at about four in the morning it was so powerful we couldn't go outside. I've never seen flooding like this," he said.

In the 24 hours before Kalmaegi made landfall, areas around Cebu City recorded 183 millimetres of rain, surpassing the area's normal monthly average of 131 mm. Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro called the resulting floods "unprecedented," adding that preparations had focused on wind damage but the heavy rains proved most destructive.

"We anticipated strong winds, but the volume of water became the primary threat to communities," Baricuatro said, underlining the scale of the inundation and its impact on residents.

Authorities evacuated nearly 400,000 people from high-risk zones ahead of the storm, but many communities still face damaged homes, power outages and risks of contaminated water as recovery work continues.

Separately, a Philippine Air Force helicopter involved in relief missions crashed in northern Mindanao while en route to Butuan city. Officials confirmed six personnel — two pilots and four crew members — were killed. Recovery and identification efforts are ongoing.

As of Wednesday morning, Kalmaegi was tracking west toward Palawan, carrying sustained winds of about 120 kilometres per hour and gusts up to 165 kph.

The Philippines, situated in the Pacific typhoon belt, averages roughly 20 tropical storms and typhoons annually. Kalmaegi is the country's 20th named storm this year, and meteorologists warn there could be up to five more before year-end.

Climate scientists have long warned that warming oceans and a moister atmosphere are intensifying tropical cyclones, allowing storms to strengthen faster and produce heavier rainfall — factors that contributed to the floods now affecting Cebu.

Authorities are urging continued vigilance as Kalmaegi moves westward. Relief agencies and local governments are coordinating to assist displaced families and to restore essential services in affected areas.

#Global #News, #World