Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of calamity after Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed devastating floods across the central region, leaving at least 114 people dead and scores more missing.
The powerful storm, one of the strongest to hit the country this year, submerged entire towns across Cebu, the Philippines’ most populous island, where 71 deaths have been confirmed. Authorities say 127 people remain missing, while 82 have been injured. Cebu provincial officials have reported a further 28 fatalities not yet included in the national count.
Kalmaegi exited the Philippines early Thursday and is now heading toward central Vietnam, where residents are already reeling from recent deadly floods.
President Marcos Jr said the decision to declare a national calamity was made due to the scale of destruction and in anticipation of Typhoon Uwan, which is expected to make landfall over the weekend.
“Almost 10 to 12 regions will be affected,” Marcos said. “With that scope of devastation, it clearly constitutes a national calamity.”
A state of calamity empowers government agencies to access emergency funds and fast-track relief efforts, including the delivery of food, shelter, and medical aid to affected communities.
Officials say most fatalities were caused by drowning, as surging floodwaters swept through towns and cities, leaving widespread destruction in their wake. Residential areas in Cebu suffered extensive damage, with homes destroyed and thick layers of mud covering what remains.
Local residents have described the flooding as “unprecedented.”
More than 400,000 people have been displaced across Cebu, home to roughly 2.5 million residents.
Among the casualties were six military crew members who died when their helicopter crashed on Mindanao island while delivering aid to affected areas.
Volunteer rescuer Carlos Jose Lañas, 19, said even seasoned emergency teams were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
“This is the worst flood I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “Almost all the rivers overflowed even the emergency responders didn’t expect this.”
Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year. It follows a string of severe storms, including Super Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Bualoi, which struck in September, compounding the damage from an already record-breaking monsoon season.
Kalmaegi strengthened after leaving the Philippines, with winds reaching 155 km/h, and is forecast to make landfall in Vietnam later on Thursday. More than 50 flights have been cancelled there, while Thailand has issued warnings for flash floods and landslides as the storm continues its westward path.