Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves at Least 26 Dead in the Philippines, Helicopter Lost During Relief Efforts
At least 26 people have died in the Philippines after Typhoon Kalmaegi swept across the central part of the country yesterday, triggering widespread flooding and prompting a search for a Philippine air force helicopter that went missing while delivering aid.
Disaster response officials report that many of the deaths occurred due to flooding in Cebu province and other central islands. Floodwaters trapped residents on rooftops and submerged vehicles, creating a desperate situation for those affected. Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross, described the scene, stating, “We have received so many calls from people asking us to rescue them from roofs and from their houses, but it’s impossible… There are so many debris, you see cars floating so we have to wait for the flood to subside.” The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to typhoons due to its geographical location, experiencing around 20 such storms annually.
Adding to the crisis, a Super Huey helicopter with five personnel aboard crashed in Agusan del Sur province while en route to provide humanitarian assistance. The Eastern Mindanao Command confirmed the crash near Loreto town and stated that efforts are underway to locate the air force personnel. This incident highlights the risks faced by emergency responders during severe weather events. For more information on disaster preparedness, visit the Ready.gov website.
As of today, Kalmaegi is moving over the coastal waters of Jordan town in Guimaras province, with sustained winds of 130 kph (81 mph) and gusts up to 180 kph (112 mph). It is forecast to move into the South China Sea late Tuesday or early Wednesday after crossing Palawan. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, noted that details of the typhoon deaths are still being verified, and that Cebu province, still recovering from a recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake, was particularly hard hit. Authorities are monitoring the situation and preparing for potential further impacts.
