Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Philippines: At Least Three Dead, Hundreds of Thousands Displaced

At least three people have been confirmed dead and nearly 400,000 forced to flee their homes as Typhoon Kalmaegi tore through the central Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple provinces.

The powerful storm — locally named Tino — unleashed torrential rains and winds exceeding 80mph (130km/h), submerging entire towns and sweeping away cars and shipping containers on the island of Cebu.

Shocking videos shared online show residents trapped on rooftops as floodwaters swallowed streets and homes.

Provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro described the devastation as “unprecedented,” warning that the worst damage came not from the winds but the catastrophic floods.

“We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but the water is what’s truly putting our people at risk. The floodwaters are just devastating,” Baricuatro said on Facebook.

In Cebu City, 28-year-old Don del Rosario recalled watching helplessly as water rushed into his home.

“I’ve been here for 28 years, and this is by far the worst we’ve experienced,” he told AFP.

Authorities also confirmed that a military rescue helicopter deployed to assist with relief operations crashed near Agusan del Sur in northern Mindanao. The Philippine Air Force said communication with the aircraft was lost shortly before impact and that search operations were underway to locate the crew.

Deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, Rafaelito Alejandro, said almost 400,000 people were evacuated from the typhoon’s path. “Our priority is ensuring immediate rescue, food, and shelter for affected families,” he added.

Kalmaegi has since weakened after making landfall early Tuesday but continues to bring heavy rains as it moves westward across the Visayas region, expected to exit into the South China Sea by Wednesday.

The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, faces an average of 20 typhoons each year. The latest storm struck barely a month after two deadly typhoons — Ragasa and Bualoi — killed more than a dozen people and damaged major infrastructure and farmlands.

This latest disaster has renewed public frustration over the country’s inadequate flood control systems, many of which residents blame on corruption and incomplete government projects.