Death Toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi Surpasses 100 in Central Philippines

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the central Philippines has risen to over 100, as the scale of devastation in Cebu Province becomes increasingly evident following the worst flooding in recent memory.

Floodwaters described as “unprecedented” swept through towns and cities across the province on Tuesday, carrying away vehicles, riverside homes, and even large shipping containers.

Cebu spokesperson Rhon Ramos told AFP that 35 bodies had been recovered from flood-hit areas of Liloan, a town within the Cebu City metropolitan area, bringing the province’s death toll to 76.

According to weather specialist Charmagne Varilla, the region around Cebu City received 183 millimetres of rainfall in the 24 hours preceding Kalmaegi’s landfall — far exceeding its usual monthly average of 131 millimetres.