The Philippines is grappling with the destructive force of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which made landfall overnight, causing at least one death and forcing the evacuation of more than 150,000 people. The storm hit the eastern province of Southern Leyte around midnight before moving across the central Negros Occidental province, with sustained winds of 150 kph and gusts up to 185 kph. Warnings were issued for torrential rain, destructive winds, and storm surges reaching up to 3 meters.
This marks the 20th tropical cyclone to impact the Philippines this year, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to severe weather. Kalmaegi’s large wind field, estimated at 600 km across, means its effects are widespread. Disaster officials had orchestrated a large-scale evacuation of residents in eastern provinces to ensure their safety ahead of the typhoon’s onslaught.
Officials confirmed the tragic death of an elderly villager in Southern Leyte due to flooding, with the province also experiencing a full power outage. The typhoon is currently tracking northwestward and is projected to move into the South China Sea on Tuesday. The ongoing recovery in areas like Cebu, still affected by a recent earthquake, faces added challenges with Kalmaegi’s passage.