Typhoon Kalmaegi devastates Philippines, 241 dead as nation declares emergency

Manila (The Uttam Hindu): Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc in the Philippines. Strong winds and torrential rain have caused massive loss of life and property. Winds gusting to 130 kilometers per hour have destroyed hundreds of homes. So far, 241 people have been confirmed dead.

Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaks havoc in the Philippines, killing 241; state of emergency declared nationwide : The Philippines ' disaster management agency said on Thursday that after causing devastation in the central parts of the country, the typhoon has now moved towards Vietnam and its strength has increased again on the way. The administration in Vietnam's Gia Lai province has issued a warning that the storm may bring heavy rains and strong winds, which is likely to cause flooding in low-lying areas and severely impact agricultural operations.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency in the country. This is considered the deadliest natural disaster to hit the Philippines this year. Authorities plan to evacuate about 350,000 people by noon amid widespread devastation in the central provinces.

In the hardest-hit province of Cebu, floodwaters receded, revealing a scene of devastation—shattered homes, overturned vehicles, and roads strewn with debris. More than 200,000 people were evacuated before the storm struck. Many are now busy cleaning up and rebuilding their destroyed homes.

"The biggest challenge right now is clearing the debris. This is essential not only for the search for missing people but also for the smooth progress of relief and rescue operations," said senior civil protection official Raffi Alejandro.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as "Tino," has now left the Philippines' observation zone. However, meteorologists have indicated another potential storm east of Mindanao could impact the country next week. This is the 20th typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, coming just a month after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck northern Cebu.

Meanwhile, Kalmaegi regained its strength as it passed over the South China Sea before entering Vietnam. It is expected to impact several central Vietnamese provinces, including major coffee-producing areas where the harvest season is currently underway. Vietnamese authorities have deployed thousands of troops for potential evacuation and relief operations. Aviation officials have warned that operations at eight airports, including Da Nang International Airport, could be affected.