Philippines declares ‘state of calamity’ as typhoon Kalmaegi kills 114

Very Strong Typhoon KALMAEGI (local name ‘Tino’) continues to intensify over the South China Sea after crossing parts of the Western Visayas and Palawan earlier this week, which let President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to declare a state of calamity in affected regions, as per reports.

The typhoon was located at 13.3°N, 110.7°E, moving at 30 km/h (15 kt) with maximum sustained winds reaching 50 m/s (95 kt) as of Wednesday morning.

According to the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), KALMAEGI-25 poses a high humanitarian risk due to its strength and the exposed populations along its path.

On 4 November, the cyclone crossed the Western Visayas and central-western Philippines, bringing winds of up to 130 km/h. By 5 November (00:00 UTC), the storm’s center was already west of northern Palawan, over the South China Sea, with sustained winds of 139 km/h.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports, as of 5 November:

52 deaths

13 missing

10 injured

577,928 displaced residents

more than 1.1 million people affected

Local officials in Cebu Province on Thursday reported the estimated death toll reached to at least 114.

KALMAEGI is forecast to continue northwestward, further strengthening, and could make landfall in southern Viet Nam by the late afternoon of 6 November, possibly reaching top sustained winds of 176 km/h.

Meanwhile, very heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges are expected to persist across much of the Philippines within 48 hours. Severe weather is also likely over Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos over the next 96 hours.

President Marcos said Cabinet officials will be deploying to the hardest-hit provinces to oversee relief efforts and ensure the quick restoration of vital services.

“The government is committed to continuous action to speed up the recovery of our people,” the President said. “Stay alert and follow the advisories of your local officials.”