The Philippines has declared a state of national calamity in response to the devastating toll of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has killed at least 114 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, while the country prepares for another impending storm.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the declaration on Thursday, citing the widespread damage from Kalmaegi and anticipating the arrival of another typhoon, Fongwong, next week. “Almost 10 regions, about 10 to 12 regions will be affected,” Marcos Jr. stated. “So if there are many affected areas and the scope is like this, that is a national disaster.”
Cebu Island bore the brunt of Kalmaegi’s fury. At least 71 people have died there, with 127 reported missing and 82 injured, according to defense and civil defense officials. Local authorities in Cebu, however, reported an additional 28 fatalities not yet included in the national tally.
The majority of deaths across the Philippines were due to drowning. The typhoon unleashed massive mudslides from hillsides, engulfing towns and communities.
Damage to residential areas in Cebu was described as “unprecedented” by local officials. Many small buildings were swept away, leaving thick mud in their wake once floodwaters receded.
More than 400,000 residents in Cebu, which has a population of 2.5 million, have been displaced by the disaster.
A state of national calamity empowers government agencies to access emergency funds and fast-track the procurement and delivery of essential goods and services to affected populations. Such a declaration is typically made in situations involving numerous fatalities, extensive property damage, and widespread disruption to daily life.
Typhoon Kalmaegi marks the 20th tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines this year. It arrived less than a month after two previous typhoons caused multiple deaths and significant damage to infrastructure and crops.
Kalmaegi moved out of the Philippines on Thursday morning and is now heading towards central Vietnam. The storm has intensified, with maximum sustained winds near its center increasing from 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) to 155 kilometers per hour (96 mph).
It is forecast to make landfall in central Vietnam early Friday morning. Vietnam is already grappling with floods that have claimed dozens of lives. Over 50 flights have been canceled or delayed in Vietnam in anticipation of the typhoon.