Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills One as Philippines Orders Mass Evacuations

Post by : Raina Nasser

Manila: One fatality has been reported and tens of thousands of residents displaced after Typhoon Kalmaegi battered the central Philippines on Tuesday, bringing intense rainfall, destructive winds and dangerous storm surges.

The national disaster agency said Typhoon Kalmaegi—referred to locally as Tino—made landfall early Tuesday with sustained winds of 150 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h. Forecasts indicate the system will move across the Visayas before emerging over the South China Sea by Wednesday.

Officials confirmed extensive evacuation orders across the Visayas, sections of southern Luzon and parts of northern Mindanao. Search-and-rescue teams have been dispatched to areas where rising waters have inundated homes and cut off streets.

Online footage from Talisay City and Cebu City showed severe flooding: entire neighbourhoods submerged, vehicles immobilised and roofs barely visible above swollen waters.

The state weather bureau PAGASA attributed Kalmaegi’s strength to a nearby shear line, which has produced heavy precipitation and strong winds across central and southern provinces. PAGASA said terrain interaction could cause some weakening, but the storm is expected to remain a typhoon while traversing the archipelago.

More than 160 flights have been cancelled and maritime authorities have instructed vessels to stay in sheltered ports. PAGASA also warned of "life-threatening storm surges" that could exceed three metres along exposed coasts, urging compliance with evacuation directives.

Vietnam has issued alerts as Kalmaegi is projected to reach its shores on Thursday night, with officials cautioning of possible severe flooding. The country is still dealing with the aftermath of recent floods that killed at least 40 people last week.

Kalmaegi is among a series of natural hazards to affect the Philippines, which typically encounters about 20 tropical cyclones annually. The nation is still recovering from Super Typhoon Ragasa in September, which caused major damage across northern Luzon.