Typhoon strikes Philippines, killing at least 140, leaving dozens missing

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on November 6 after Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across the central provinces, killing at least 140 people and leaving 127 others missing.

The storm, one of the deadliest natural disasters to strike the country this year, continues its path toward Vietnam, heightening concerns for further devastation, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

During an emergency meeting with disaster-response officials, Marcos announced the state of emergency, which will allow the government to expedite the disbursement of emergency funds and address issues such as food hoarding and price inflation in the affected areas.

The typhoon brought severe flooding to cities and towns in Cebu province, where floodwaters—described as unprecedented—swept away cars, shipping containers, and even riverside homes. In some areas, floodwaters reached astonishing levels, leaving residents struggling to cope with the aftermath.

As of November 6, the national civil defence office confirmed 114 deaths, though local authorities in Cebu province have reported an additional 28 fatalities. In Liloan, a town near Cebu City, 35 bodies were recovered from the floodwaters, and the community is still reeling from the damage. Cars were found stacked on top of one another, and buildings were stripped of their roofs as residents attempted to rescue survivors from the mud and debris.

While the death toll continues to rise, scientists have warned that the strength of storms like Kalmaegi is being fueled by human-driven climate change. Warmer ocean temperatures allow typhoons to intensify more quickly, while increased moisture in the atmosphere leads to heavier rainfall, resulting in catastrophic flooding.

The Philippines has already surpassed its annual average of 20 typhoons, with Kalmaegi marking the 20th such storm this year. Weather specialists have warned that the country could see an additional three to five storms before the year’s end, further exacerbating the challenges posed by climate change.

By Sabina Mammadli