Typhoon Kalmaegi Death Toll Surpasses 100 as Cebu Battles Unprecedented Flood Disaster
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the central Philippines has risen to more than 100, as authorities and residents in Cebu grapple with what officials describe as the worst flooding the province has experienced in decades.
The powerful typhoon triggered massive floods that swept through several coastal and urban communities, destroying homes, vehicles, and critical infrastructure. Cebu provincial spokesperson, Rhon Ramos, confirmed that 35 bodies were recovered in Liloan alone—raising the province’s total fatalities to 76.
On neighbouring Negros Island, at least 12 people were confirmed dead, while another 12 remain missing after mudflows from Mount Kanlaon engulfed homes in Canlaon City. Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar explained that previous volcanic activity had left unstable deposits on the mountain slopes, which collapsed amid Kalmaegi’s torrential rainfall.
The national casualty count also includes six military personnel who died in a helicopter crash during relief operations.
Residents of Cebu’s hardest-hit areas have begun clearing debris from streets that were flooded to dangerous levels just a day earlier.
“Around four or five in the morning, the water was so strong that you couldn’t even step outside,” said 53-year-old shop owner Reynaldo Vergara from Mandaue, who lost his business inventory. “Nothing like this has ever happened. The water was raging.”
In Talisay City, where riverside homes were swept away, many survivors are rebuilding without financial support. “This will take time because I don’t have the money yet,” said Regie Mallorca, 26, while reconstructing his home from rubble. “It will take months.”
Weather officials reported that Cebu City recorded 183mm of rainfall in 24 hours—exceeding its monthly average. Provincial Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the flooding as “unprecedented” and “devastating.”
Kalmaegi’s impact has reignited public anger over alleged “ghost” flood-control projects worth billions of pesos. Governor Baricuatro questioned how such catastrophic flooding could occur despite large budget allocations for flood mitigation, claiming some projects never existed beyond paperwork. The Department of Public Works and Highways said its officials are currently inspecting affected areas.
Almost 800,000 people were evacuated as the typhoon approached, according to disaster officials.
The Philippines typically experiences about 20 storms each year, but forecasters warn that climate change is making typhoons stronger and rainfall more intense. Weather experts say three to five more storms may still hit the country before the year ends.
By late Wednesday, Typhoon Kalmaegi was moving across the South China Sea toward Vietnam, where authorities are preparing for additional flooding after heavy rains already claimed dozens of lives last week.
