Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Philippines, 66 Dead in Massive Floods

At least 66 people have lost their lives as Typhoon Kalmaegi brought catastrophic flooding and destruction across the Philippines, leaving several communities struggling to recover. The storm, which made landfall earlier this week, hit hardest in Cebu province, where 49 deaths have been confirmed, and dozens remain missing.

According to disaster management officials, floodwaters described as “unprecedented” swept through densely populated towns and cities, submerging homes, overturning vehicles, and even displacing massive shipping containers. Rescue teams are now focused on clearing debris and reopening major roads blocked by flood damage.

“The major cities suffered the most, especially highly urbanised areas,” said Rafaelito Alejandro, a senior civil defence administrator. “The floods have now subsided, but our biggest challenge is clearing the debris to restore normal movement.”

Residents in Cebu described scenes of devastation as they began cleaning their homes and shops. Reynaldo Vergara, a 53-year-old shop owner, said everything he owned had been washed away. “The water came rushing from the river. Around four in the morning, it was so strong that we couldn’t step outside. I’ve never seen flooding like this before,” he shared.

In just 24 hours before Kalmaegi’s landfall, the area surrounding Cebu City received 183 millimetres of rainfall—far exceeding its monthly average of 131 mm. Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the flooding as “unprecedented,” noting that while authorities had prepared for strong winds, it was the intense rainfall that caused the most damage.

“We expected the winds to be the main threat, but the water is what truly endangered our people. The floodwaters have been devastating,” Baricuatro said.

Nearly 400,000 people were pre-emptively evacuated from high-risk zones before the storm’s arrival. Despite these efforts, many areas continue to struggle with the aftermath, including damaged homes, power outages, and water contamination risks.

In a related incident, a Philippine Air Force helicopter assisting in relief operations crashed on northern Mindanao island while en route to the city of Butuan. Authorities confirmed that six personnel—two pilots and four crew members—were killed in the crash. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with forensic teams working to identify the victims.

As of Wednesday morning, Typhoon Kalmaegi was moving westward toward the tourist island of Palawan, packing sustained winds of 120 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching 165 kph.

The Philippines, located in the Pacific typhoon belt, experiences an average of 20 tropical storms and typhoons each year. Kalmaegi marks the country’s 20th storm in 2025, with meteorologists warning that up to five more could develop before the end of the year.

Experts have long cautioned that climate change is intensifying tropical cyclones, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall. Warmer ocean temperatures allow storms to strengthen rapidly, while a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture—causing floods like those now seen across Cebu.

Authorities continue to urge vigilance and preparedness as Kalmaegi moves closer to western parts of the country. Relief and recovery efforts are underway to assist thousands of displaced residents and restore essential services in the affected regions.