A deadly chain of destruction spread across the central Philippines. Official figures confirmed on Thursday that Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 140 people and left another 127 missing. The powerful typhoon is tracking westward, heading directly toward Vietnam.
Typhoon Kalmaegi stands as the deadliest storm recorded worldwide in 2025 so far. Typhoon Trami, which also struck the Philippines, topped last year’s list with 191 fatalities.
Unprecedented Flooding in Cebu
Floodwaters rushed through the towns and cities of Cebu province this week. Residents described the deluge as unprecedented. The powerful surge swept away cars, shanties built along riverbanks, and even massive shipping containers.
The national civil defense office confirmed 114 deaths on Thursday. Cebu provincial authorities recorded an additional 28 fatalities.
In Liloan, a town near Cebu City, 35 bodies have already been recovered. Reports from the scene show cars piled one atop the other by the floodwaters. Roofs were torn off buildings as desperate residents attempted to dig themselves out of the mud and debris.
Rescue Attempts Fail Against Raging Waters
The personal accounts of survivors paint a grim picture of the flood’s ferocity. Christine Aton, 29, was among the victims in Liloan. Her sister Michelle, who lived with a disability, was tragically trapped in her bedroom as the floodwaters rapidly rose inside their house.
“We tried to pry open (her bedroom door) with a kitchen knife and a crowbar but it wouldn’t budge,” Aton said. “Then the refrigerator started to float.” Aton and her father ultimately had to swim out through a window. She recalled their despair, crying because they could not save her sister, fearing all three might die.
Chyros Roa, a 42-year-old father of two, credited his family’s survival to their dog’s frantic barking. The warning came as water suddenly rushed into their home in the early hours. This gave them just enough time to reach the safety of their roof. “The current was really strong. We tried to call for rescue but no one came. Rescuers were reportedly swept away by the current,” Roa explained.
Calamity Declared and Climate Link
On Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos declared a “state of national calamity.” This authorizes the government to immediately release critical funding for aid. It also allows the government to impose price ceilings on essential necessities.
A state weather service meteorologist, Benison Estareja, reported that the rainfall along Kalmaegi’s path was 1.5 times the total volume expected to fall in Cebu during an entire November. He categorized the event as a “once every 20 years” occurrence. The meteorologist added that the “highly urbanised” nature of the areas around Cebu City intensified the death toll.
Scientists warn that these storms are growing more powerful due to human-driven climate change. Warmer oceans allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly, and the warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall.
Kalmaegi Threatens Vietnam
Kalmaegi’s windspeeds are increasing as it rapidly moves toward neighboring Vietnam. Fear is mounting there that the typhoon will worsen damage from recent flooding, which has already claimed 47 lives.
The typhoon is forecast to strike central Vietnam late Thursday. It is expected to bring powerful storm surges and waves potentially reaching eight meters (26 feet). Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha urged local authorities on Wednesday to treat Kalmaegi as “urgent and dangerous,” calling it a “very abnormal” storm.
Authorities have ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents from coastal communities. Officials were seen knocking on doors in Quy Nhon city, just south of the typhoon’s projected landfall, warning people to flee.
While Vietnam typically experiences ten typhoons or tropical storms annually, Kalmaegi is set to be the 13th storm of 2025. Experts warn that at least “three to five more” storms could be expected before December’s end.
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