Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc across the central Philippines, leaving at least 114 dead and displacing tens of thousands of residents. The storm, which struck earlier this week, has been identified as the deadliest typhoon in the country this year. Areas such as Cebu Province, a popular tourist destination, are now facing unprecedented destruction as recovery efforts begin.
As residents begin to salvage what little they can from the wreckage, the impact of the storm is becoming clearer. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, with drone footage revealing dramatic scenes of flooded streets and submerged homes. In Talisay City, the flooding has buried communities along the Mananga River under thick mud, while in Cebu City, cars swept away by the floods have created hazardous obstacles throughout the streets.
“We don’t have any home anymore. We weren’t able to salvage anything from our house,” said Mely Saberon, a 52-year-old resident from Talisay, in an interview with Reuters. “We didn’t expect the surge of rain and wind. We’ve experienced many typhoons, but this one was different.” Fellow survivor Marlon Enriquez, 58, echoed her sentiments, stating, “The floodwaters quickly rushed in, and we had no time to gather belongings.”
In response to the crisis, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national calamity on November 8, 2023, pledging ongoing relief and response operations. This calamity follows a recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu just over a month ago, resulting in at least 74 fatalities and widespread displacement.
Understanding the Destruction and Future Threats
The destructive power of Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, can be attributed to a combination of slow movement and intense rainfall. This storm, the 20th named storm to impact the Philippines this year, made landfall as a Category 2 equivalent typhoon, delivering over a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours in some regions. Local officials reported that many fatalities resulted from drowning as the storm triggered flash floods and caused rivers to overflow.
Areas like Leyte and northern Mindanao experienced between 150 and 250 mm (6 to 10 inches) of rain within a single day, far exceeding typical November rainfall. The rugged terrain of Cebu funneled excess water into communities that were ill-equipped to handle such volumes. “Water is almost always the #1 killer,” said CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and early warning systems.
The situation has been exacerbated by clogged waterways and a lack of effective communication regarding early warnings. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, emphasized the pressing need for better drainage systems and resilient infrastructure to withstand increasingly intense storms. He stated, “We need to rethink how we build our megacities and improve on our resiliency.”
Vietnam Braces for Impact
As Typhoon Kalmaegi moves towards the coast of Vietnam, it has intensified and is now equivalent to a strong Category 4 hurricane, packing winds of 215 kph (130 mph). The storm is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam on November 9, 2023, threatening to cause further devastation in areas already reeling from heavy rainfall and flooding.
Around 350,000 people are anticipated to be evacuated in Gia Lai Province, with the central provinces, including Danang and Quang Ngai, preparing for damaging winds and potential storm surges. These regions are still recovering from severe flooding that occurred just last week, which claimed at least 13 lives and inundated over 116,000 homes.
Images from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An, a location usually bustling with tourists, depict extensive flooding that has submerged its iconic streets and historical landmarks. “I have witnessed floods many times, and this is the worst I’ve ever seen,” said Tran Van Tien, a resident of Hoi An, reflecting the severe impact of recent weather events.
As the climate crisis continues to escalate, the frequency and intensity of storms in the western Pacific have increased. Global ocean temperatures have reached record levels for the past eight years, providing ample energy for storms to develop. The situation demands urgent attention to climate-related issues and infrastructure resilience to mitigate the effects of future storms.
As communities in the Philippines and Vietnam brace for further challenges, the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies and climate adaptation measures has never been more critical.
