Floods strand residents as Typhoon Kalmaegi batters Philippines

November 04, 2025 / 8:44 AM

Sharjah24 - AFP: Residents in central Philippines climbed to rooftops for safety as Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed torrential rains and fierce winds, leaving at least two people dead and forcing hundreds of thousands from their homes. Cars were seen floating through flooded streets as the storm made landfall shortly before midnight, cutting power and toppling trees.

By early Tuesday morning, Kalmaegi was sweeping across Cebu and Negros Islands with sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph) and gusts up to 185 km/h. “People marooned on rooftops are asking to be rescued,” said Cebu information officer Rhon Ramos, noting that even some evacuation centres were inundated.

Scenes of Chaos and unprecedented flooding

Cebu resident Don del Rosario, 28, described the flooding as “the worst we’ve ever experienced,” recounting how water levels rose uncontrollably between 3:00 and 4:00 am. Many families, including those still living in tent cities after a September earthquake, were forcibly evacuated for safety.

Disaster authorities confirmed 387,000 people displaced so far. One man died when a tree fell in Bohol province, while an elderly person drowned in Southern Leyte after becoming trapped on an upper floor.

The Philippines’ recurring Typhoon crisis

The Philippines faces an average of 20 tropical storms annually, striking vulnerable areas where millions live in poverty. With Kalmaegi, that number has already been reached for 2025, said weather specialist Charmagne Varilla, warning that three to five more storms could still form before year’s end.

Scientists continue to caution that climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of tropical storms across the region.

Prayers in the dark: A night of fear

On Dinagat Islands, where Kalmaegi first made landfall, 34-year-old Miriam Vargas huddled with her children in darkness as winds battered their home. “The electricity went out an hour ago, and we cannot see anything,” she said. “We’re sitting on the stairs, praying while trying to gauge the typhoon’s strength.”

Meanwhile, in Leyte Island, disaster official Roel Montesa reported ongoing evacuations in Palo and Tanauan, two towns devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan (2013), which killed over 6,000 people.

La Niña’s influence and storm outlook

Experts attribute the heightened storm activity to La Niña, a natural climate phenomenon that cools sea surface temperatures in the Pacific. This year, it has contributed to an unusually active typhoon season. In September alone, Super Typhoon Ragasa swept through the region, killing 14 people in Taiwan.

As Kalmaegi continues westward, authorities are urging vigilance and preparedness amid warnings that more powerful storms could strike before the year’s end.