Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills Over 100 in Philippines
Unprecedented floods and mudslides claim over 100 lives in the Philippines as survivors struggle to rebuild amid allegations of failed flood-control projects.
- Typhoon Kalmaegi kills over 100 in Cebu and Negros; hundreds of thousands displaced
- Floodwaters and volcanic mudslides destroy homes, shops, and infrastructure
- Officials cite ghost flood-control projects and warn of more typhoons before year-end
The Philippines is reeling from the destructive impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has killed more than 100 people and caused massive flooding in central provinces.
Cebu, the worst-hit area, reported 76 deaths, including 35 recovered in Liloan, part of Cebu City’s metropolitan area.
On Negros Island, heavy rains triggered mudslides from Kanlaon Volcano, burying homes in Canlaon City and leaving at least 12 dead and 12 missing. Earlier government tallies also included six military crew members who died in a helicopter crash during typhoon relief operations.
Residents described the flooding as unprecedented. In Cebu, streets were transformed into rivers, and many lost their homes and livelihoods. In Talisay, informal riverside settlements were swept away, forcing survivors like 26-year-old Regie Mallorca to begin rebuilding amid limited resources. Cebu City recorded 183 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, far exceeding the monthly average.
Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro called the disaster “unprecedented” and highlighted concerns over ghost flood-control projects that may have worsened flooding despite billions allocated in the national budget.
Experts warn that climate change is intensifying storms, producing heavier rainfall and stronger winds. Nearly 800,000 people were evacuated, but further storms are expected, with at least three to five more typhoons predicted before December.
Kalmaegi is now moving toward Vietnam, raising fears of additional flooding in a region already battered by severe weather.
