Typhoon Kalmaegi has left its devastating mark on the Philippines, claiming at least 66 lives. The disaster unfolded as heavy rains and floods engulfed the central region of the country, leaving many people stranded on rooftops or submerged in cars.
According to the Philippine civil defense agency's deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro, Cebu accounted for 49 of the deaths, with entire towns inundated on the island. The situation was described by Governor Pamela Baricuatro as "unprecedented," with floodwaters trapping residents and submerging vehicles.
A helicopter crash during search and rescue operations resulted in six fatalities, with all crew members killed. In Agusan del Sur, another Huey helicopter went down while conducting a humanitarian mission, with the recovered bodies sparking an investigation.
The typhoon unleashed winds of 120km/h (74.5mph) and gusts of 165km/h (102.5mph), causing widespread destruction across the Visayas islands as it swept towards northern Palawan and the South China Sea. Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated, including parts of southern Luzon and northern Mindanao.
The Philippine weather agency warned that the typhoon was expected to remain at typhoon intensity throughout its passage over the country. The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, with an average of 20 storms and typhoons hitting the nation each year.
According to the Philippine civil defense agency's deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro, Cebu accounted for 49 of the deaths, with entire towns inundated on the island. The situation was described by Governor Pamela Baricuatro as "unprecedented," with floodwaters trapping residents and submerging vehicles.
A helicopter crash during search and rescue operations resulted in six fatalities, with all crew members killed. In Agusan del Sur, another Huey helicopter went down while conducting a humanitarian mission, with the recovered bodies sparking an investigation.
The typhoon unleashed winds of 120km/h (74.5mph) and gusts of 165km/h (102.5mph), causing widespread destruction across the Visayas islands as it swept towards northern Palawan and the South China Sea. Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated, including parts of southern Luzon and northern Mindanao.
The Philippine weather agency warned that the typhoon was expected to remain at typhoon intensity throughout its passage over the country. The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, with an average of 20 storms and typhoons hitting the nation each year.
Ugh, can't even right now 
... this Kalmaegi typhoon is literally everywhere! 
I'm reading about it on my phone while watching a video of kids playing on rooftops in Cebu 
. 66 lives lost? 49 of those were in just one city?! That's insane 
. And to think, they're still dealing with the aftermath of other typhoons this year... 
I need to get off socials for a sec and do something for the people affected 
. By the way, have you seen those videos of rescuers swimming out to save people from flooded cars? 
They're literally heroes! 
the government should really look into improving disaster preparedness 
they're already doing what they can but it's not enough 
at least the people are safe for now 
lets hope they get the help they need from the international community 
The fact that tens of thousands of residents were evacuated safely (mostly) also shows how well-prepared some areas are for natural disasters. And let's not forget about the efforts from the Philippine weather agency, working tirelessly to keep people informed and safe. It's a tough time, but I truly believe in the resilience of the Filipino people 
just can't believe how devastating this typhoon is... so many people affected & lost their lives. it's like, 66 lives gone 
... 49 in Cebu alone 
... can't even imagine being stranded on a rooftop or swimming in a car 
. the fact that 6 helicopter crew members were killed during rescue ops is just heartbreaking 
66 lives lost already? 
. I mean, it's not like they caught everyone by surprise or anything. The country's always dealing with these kinds of disasters, but still... 20 storms and typhoons a year is just insane 
.
. And seriously, can we get some better infrastructure in place to prevent this kind of thing from happening again? It's just not fair 
! All those rescue teams, medical staff, and volunteers rushing to the aid of the Philippines is like a beacon of hope in a time of disaster 
. And the fact that the gov't is responding with swift relief efforts is amazing 
... but I'm sure the Filipino people will come out stronger on the other side 