Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced a state of emergency following the devastating impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which resulted in the loss of at least 114 lives and left 127 individuals missing in central provinces. This calamity, the deadliest natural disaster to strike the country this year, primarily caused fatalities due to drowning in flash floods, with a significant impact felt in the province of Cebu.
The typhoon affected nearly two million people, displacing over 560,000 residents, with approximately 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. The emergency declaration aims to expedite fund allocation, prevent food hoarding, and curb overpricing in the affected areas.
Kalmaegi exited western Palawan province into the South China Sea with sustained winds reaching up to 130 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h. Reports from Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, and local officials indicated a high number of casualties in Cebu due to flash floods and rising water levels in rivers and other water bodies.
The Philippine Red Cross received distress calls from individuals stranded on rooftops in Cebu, requiring urgent rescue assistance. The disaster resulted in significant loss of life, with 49 individuals perishing in floods and others succumbing to landslides and falling debris. Additionally, 62 people were reported missing in neighboring provinces, compounding the scale of the tragedy.
The challenges faced during the calamity were exacerbated by longstanding issues such as river clogging from quarrying activities and substandard flood control projects in Cebu. Years of neglect and corruption scandals related to flood control initiatives have raised concerns among the public.
Cebu, still recovering from a recent earthquake, declared a state of calamity to facilitate swift emergency response efforts. As Kalmaegi heads towards Vietnam and Thailand, authorities have mobilized evacuation plans and preparedness measures to mitigate risks in the wake of the impending storm.
The Philippines, a disaster-prone nation, grapples with numerous natural calamities annually, including typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activities. With Vietnam and Thailand bracing for the storm’s impact, regional efforts are underway to safeguard vulnerable populations and minimize the potential for further devastation.
