MANILA, Philippines — A fast-moving typhoon tore across the central Philippines on Monday, killing at least two people and unleashing powerful winds and flash floods that trapped residents on rooftops, submerged vehicles, and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.
Two Dead as Storm Slams Ashore
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall around midnight in the coastal town of Silago in Southern Leyte province, before barreling westward across the Visayas region. By midday, it was sweeping over Bacolod City in Negros Occidental with sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and gusts reaching 195 kph (121 mph), according to state weather forecasters.
An elderly villager drowned in rising floodwaters in Southern Leyte, where widespread power outages were reported. In neighboring Bohol province, another resident died after being struck by a falling tree. Authorities warned that casualty numbers could still rise as reports from remote areas come in.
Residents Trapped by Rising Floodwaters
In Cebu province, one of the hardest-hit regions, floodwaters reached “up to the heads of people,” said Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross. Dozens of residents were stranded on rooftops in the coastal town of Liloan, while submerged cars floated along streets in nearby communities.
“We’ve received so many calls for help, but it’s impossible to reach them right now,” Pang told the Associated Press. “There’s too much debris, and the water remains dangerously high. We have to wait for it to subside.”
Damage Across the Eastern Seaboard
In Eastern Samar, where Kalmaegi first struck, strong winds ripped roofs from homes and damaged about 300 rural shanties on Homonhon Island, part of the town of Guiuan. Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan said there were no reported deaths or injuries there, adding that residents were already beginning cleanup efforts.
“There was no flooding at all, just strong wind,” Kwan said. “We’ve been through worse — including Haiyan — and we’ll get through this.”
It was in Guiuan where Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, made landfall in 2013. Haiyan left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and destroyed about a million homes across the central Philippines.
Tens of Thousands Evacuated
Ahead of Kalmaegi’s arrival, officials ordered the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of torrential rains, destructive winds, and storm surges reaching three meters (10 feet).
The storm’s vast wind field — spanning roughly 600 kilometers (373 miles) — battered much of the Visayas and northern Mindanao, including Cebu, Negros, and Bohol, all still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30, killing at least 79 people.
Travel Disruptions and Safety Warnings
The Philippine Coast Guard suspended interisland ferries and banned small fishing boats from sailing amid rough seas, leaving more than 3,500 passengers and cargo trucks stranded at nearly 100 seaports. At least 186 domestic flights were canceled.
Authorities also warned that heavy rainfall could trigger volcanic mudflows on Mount Kanlaon, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, which has been emitting ash and steam in recent months.
Kalmaegi, the 20th tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines this year, was moving westward at 25 kph (16 mph) and was expected to exit into the South China Sea by early Wednesday.
A Nation Accustomed to Disaster
The Philippines endures around 20 typhoons and tropical storms every year, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” also exposes it to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
As Kalmaegi moves on, authorities continue rescue operations and assess the full extent of damage. For many residents, the storm serves as another painful reminder of the country’s vulnerability — and of the strength required to rebuild, again and again.