Post by : Rameen Ariff

Manila: A fatality was reported and tens of thousands were moved to safety after Typhoon Kalmaegi battered central Philippines on Tuesday, unleashing intense rain, damaging winds and hazardous storm surges.

The national disaster agency said Kalmaegi—locally called Tino—made landfall early Tuesday with sustained winds near 150 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h. Forecasters expect the system to pass over the Visayas before reaching the South China Sea by Wednesday.

Authorities ordered widespread evacuations across the Visayas, parts of southern Luzon and northern Mindanao. Search and rescue teams were deployed as rising waters submerged homes and roadways.

Social media footage showed severe flooding in Talisay City and Cebu City, with neighbourhoods under water, vehicles stranded and rooftops barely visible above the floodwaters.

The state weather bureau, PAGASA, said a nearby shear line was enhancing Kalmaegi’s rainfall and winds. Officials added the storm may lose some strength over land but is expected to remain a typhoon during its transit.

More than 160 flights were cancelled and maritime authorities instructed vessels to stay in port. PAGASA warned of “life-threatening” storm surges that could top three metres in coastal zones and urged residents to heed evacuation orders.

Vietnam has also issued warnings as it prepares for potential severe flooding when Kalmaegi approaches later this week. The country is still coping with floods from last week that killed at least 40 people.

Kalmaegi is the latest storm to affect the Philippines, which averages around 20 tropical cyclones annually. The archipelago continues to recover from Super Typhoon Ragasa in September, which caused major damage across northern Luzon.

#Global