Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves 241 Dead in Philippines, Triggers State of Emergency

Manila, November 6: In the wake of a devastating earthquake, the Philippines has been battered by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has claimed at least 241 lives and left a trail of destruction across the nation.

The typhoon, packing winds of up to 130 km/h, tore through central regions, toppling homes, uprooting trees, and inundating vast areas with torrential rain.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday, citing the unprecedented scale of the disaster. The storm has displaced over 3.5 lakh people, with emergency services scrambling to provide shelter and aid to those affected.

Prior to landfall, more than 2 lakh residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The typhoon’s impact was compounded by a recent earthquake, which had already weakened infrastructure in several provinces.

Kalmaegi’s fury destroyed homes, flattened crops, and disrupted essential services. Authorities have warned of further flooding and landslides, especially in low-lying and agricultural zones.

After sweeping through the Philippines, Kalmaegi regained strength over the South China Sea and is now lashing Vietnam’s Gia Lai province with renewed intensity.

Meteorological agencies have issued fresh alerts for heavy rainfall and strong winds in the region.

Relief operations are underway, but officials caution that recovery may take weeks, if not months.

The government has urged international partners for support as the country grapples with one of its worst natural disasters in recent years.