Typhoon Kalmaegi Wreaks Havoc in Philippines: Death Toll Skyrockets to 114 with 127 Missing as Storm Barrels Towards Vietnam
- Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, claiming at least 114 lives and leaving 127 others missing.
- The central province of Cebu was the hardest hit, with 71 deaths reported, mostly due to drownings, and 65 people still missing.
- As the Philippines struggles to come to terms with the devastation, Vietnam is bracing for the storm’s expected landfall on Friday, with authorities warning of catastrophic waves and activating emergency response measures.
Typhoon Kalmaegi’s fury has left the Philippines reeling, with the death toll rising to at least 114 and 127 others reported missing. The central province of Cebu was pummelled by the storm, with 71 deaths reported, mostly due to drownings, and 65 people still missing.
The storm’s impact was exacerbated by the fact that Cebu was still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 30 that left at least 79 people dead and displaced thousands. World Vision Philippines spokesperson Lucille Latonio, who was in Mandaue city in Cebu when the storm hit, described the scene as “devastating and heartbreaking.”
“There was nothing we could do, the wind was strong and we could hear debris flying and hitting our roof,” she said. “The devastation is all over the city. A lot of people have been affected, a lot of people have lost their homes.”
As the Philippines begins the long and arduous process of cleaning up and rebuilding, Vietnam is preparing for the storm’s expected landfall on Friday. Authorities have warned of catastrophic waves and activated emergency response measures, with fishing boats returning to shore and local authorities readied evacuation plans, secured shelters, and stockpiled food.
China has also issued warnings of a “catastrophic wave process” in the South China Sea and activated maritime disaster emergency response in its southernmost province of Hainan. The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, as well as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.