Typhoon Kalmaegi’s impact in the Philippines resulted in a tragic death toll of at least 26 individuals, primarily due to flooding caused by the storm’s passage through the central region of the country on Tuesday. The calamity left numerous people stranded on rooftops and submerged vehicles in floodwaters. Additionally, six individuals lost their lives in a separate incident when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in southern Agusan del Sur province while delivering humanitarian aid to areas affected by Kalmaegi.
The fatal crash of the Super Huey chopper near Loreto town claimed the lives of all onboard, as confirmed by the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command following a search operation. Details regarding the cause of the crash were not immediately disclosed. Kalmaegi was last tracked over Jordan town in Guimaras province, boasting sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts reaching 180 km/h. It was predicted to move towards the South China Sea after impacting Palawan province.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, the deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, reported the death toll at 26, with many casualties occurring in Cebu province and other central islands hit by the storm. Among the victims were an elderly person who drowned in Southern Leyte’s floodwaters and a resident in central Bohol province who was struck by a fallen tree. The aftermath of Kalmaegi also led to residents being stranded on rooftops in Liloan, Cebu, with submerged cars in another community.
Gwendolyn Pang, the secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, highlighted the challenging rescue operations due to debris and high flood levels, emphasizing the need to wait for the waters to recede. Cebu province, still recovering from a recent earthquake, faced additional hardship from Kalmaegi’s impact. In Eastern Samar, fierce winds damaged around 300 shanties in the town of Guiuan, but no fatalities or injuries were reported.
The Philippines, known for its vulnerability to natural disasters, experiences a high frequency of typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic activities annually. The resilience of affected communities is tested once again by the destructive forces of nature, underscoring the nation’s ongoing battle with environmental challenges.
