Philippines Declares State of Emergency as Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills 114, Thousands Displaced

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency following the catastrophic impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has left at least 114 people dead and 127 others missing, according to the latest official figures.

The declaration — approved during a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) briefing — seeks to fast-track rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts by granting government agencies swift access to emergency funds and simplified procurement procedures for essential supplies.

The powerful storm, known locally as Typhoon Tino, has displaced more than 500,000 residents and affected over 1.4 million people in the Central Visayas region. Kalmaegi’s torrential rains and winds tore off roofs, uprooted trees, and triggered deadly floods and landslides, cutting off remote areas from aid. Officials confirmed that 82 people were injured, with Cebu and Bohol provinces among the worst hit.

The disaster struck just weeks after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked Cebu on September 30, compounding the humanitarian crisis and stretching local emergency resources to the limit. Although Kalmaegi has now exited the Philippines, continued rainfall threatens parts of Luzon and Mindanao, even as the nation braces for another incoming storm, Typhoon Uwan, expected to affect up to 12 regions in the coming days.

The government’s emergency declaration also paves the way for enhanced coordination with international relief agencies, as rescue teams race against time to reach flooded and isolated communities.

Experts say the disaster underscores a grim reality: the Philippines’ growing vulnerability to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. It adds to a global pattern of escalating climate emergencies,