Typhoon Kalmaegi has resulted in at least 114 deaths from flooding in the central Philippines. An additional 127 people are reported missing and 82 injured. The storm, described as one of the strongest this year, caused significant flooding in towns on Cebu island before moving towards central Vietnam.
Impact in the Philippines
Authorities confirmed on Thursday a death toll of at least 114 from flooding attributed to Typhoon Kalmaegi in the central Philippines. This figure includes 71 deaths reported on Cebu, the region's most populous island, where towns experienced widespread flooding. National officials also reported 127 individuals missing and 82 injured. Cebu provincial authorities reported an additional 28 deaths not included in the national civil defense tally, according to AFP news agency.
Storm Progression and Consequences
Typhoon Kalmaegi departed the Philippines on Thursday morning and is currently tracking towards central Vietnam. Reports indicate that the majority of deaths in the Philippines were due to drowning. The storm generated torrents of muddy water that flowed down hillsides and into populated areas. Residential areas in Cebu sustained damage, with numerous small buildings reportedly swept away and floodwaters leaving behind mud deposits.
Local Accounts and Official Statements
Local officials characterized the storm's impact as "unprecedented." Residents returning to their properties encountered damage. Jel-an Moira Servas, a business owner in Mandaue city, informed the BBC that her house flooded rapidly, reaching waist-deep water within minutes, prompting her family's evacuation with essential items. Servas noted that while the rain had ceased and the sun was visible, her house remained filled with mud and its contents damaged.