Image Source aljazeera
MANILA, PHILIPPINES —The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi (locally known as Tino) has catastrophically climbed to 66, with dozens more reported missing, as the storm’s true danger proved not to be its powerful winds, but the “unprecedented” and deadly deluge it unleashed across the central Philippines.
The hardest-hit area is the province of Cebu, which was already reeling from a devastating earthquake just weeks prior. Officials confirmed that 49 of the fatalities were reported in Cebu alone, mostly due to drowning in flash floods that submerged urban communities and swept away vehicles with terrifying force.
‘The Water Was Raging’: A Climatic Catastrophe
The sheer volume of water overwhelmed local disaster responses. In the 24 hours leading up to the typhoon’s landfall, the area around Cebu City was deluged with 183 millimeters of rain, shattering the region’s 131-millimeter monthly average.
“We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but the water is what truly put our people at risk,” stated Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.
The rapid rise of the floodwaters caught residents by surprise, forcing countless people to climb onto their roofs, desperately pleading for rescue as the muddy torrents raged below.
Eyewitnesses described the river overflow as a “raging” force, destroying homes and washing away businesses.
The crisis was further compounded by a secondary tragedy: six military personnel were killed when a Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur. The aircraft was en route to provide critical humanitarian aid and support to the typhoon-battered provinces.
International Solidarity and a Climate Warning
As Typhoon Kalmaegi moves westward, heading toward Palawan and expected to re-intensify over the South China Sea before reaching Vietnam, the Philippines has begun the monumental task of clearing debris and providing relief.
The international community has swiftly responded. The Embassies of the United States, Canada, and Australia have all conveyed their deepest condolences and readiness to extend immediate assistance in the ongoing response and recovery efforts.
The repeated, intense nature of these tropical cyclones—Kalmaegi is the 20th typhoon to hit the archipelago this year—serves as a grave warning. Scientists are increasingly vocal that human-driven climate change is fueling warmer oceans, which, in turn, intensify these storms, making deadly flash flooding the new, terrifying reality for vulnerable nations like the Philippines.
[This article is a unique synthesis of publicly available facts and reporting. NewsRoom has been drafted with original phrasing, structure, and narrative style to create a distinct journalistic piece.
The facts contained within this article were compiled and confirmed from multiple reputable news sources, including: The Associated Press (AP) / Business Standard, Philippine News Agency (PNA),etc]
