Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc across the central Philippines, leaving at least 114 dead and many more reported missing. The storm, which made landfall earlier this week, has displaced tens of thousands of people, with the most severe impacts felt in Cebu province, a popular tourist destination. As residents begin the arduous process of salvaging belongings from the wreckage, the typhoon is now moving over the South China Sea, posing a significant threat to Vietnam’s coast.
The storm has intensified into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, with winds reaching up to 215 kilometers per hour (130 mph). It is expected to make landfall in central Vietnam by the evening of Thursday, October 5, 2023. This area has barely begun to recover from serious flooding and landslides following weeks of heavy rainfall and previous storms.
Destruction and Displacement in the Philippines
The scale of destruction in Cebu province has astonished both residents and local officials. Drone footage captured the catastrophic flooding that transformed streets into rivers, submerging homes and overturning vehicles. In Talisay city, entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, while communities along the Mananga River are buried under thick debris. In Cebu city, floodwaters swept away cars, leaving them piled in the streets. Rescue workers have been wading through waist-deep water to assist stranded residents.
Mely Saberon, a 52-year-old resident from Talisay, expressed her despair, stating, “We don’t have any home anymore. We weren’t able to salvage anything from our house.” Marlon Enriquez, 58, a survivor in Cebu city, described the rapid onslaught of floodwaters, saying he had never before experienced such devastating flooding in his 16 years at the location.
In response to the disaster, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national calamity, pledging ongoing relief and recovery efforts. This disaster comes just over a month after a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu, killing at least 74 individuals and displacing many more.
Factors Behind Kalmaegi’s Severity
Kalmaegi is not the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year, but its slow movement allowed it to dump excessive rainfall over densely populated areas. Most fatalities resulted from drowning as the storm triggered flash floods that surged rivers beyond their limits. Rainfall amounts reached between 150 and 250 millimeters (6 to 10 inches) in just 24 hours in regions such as Leyte and northern Mindanao.
The Philippines’ geography contributed to the disaster. The rugged terrain funneled water directly into communities lacking adequate drainage. According to CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward, “Water is almost always the #1 killer.” Furthermore, the storm’s impact was exacerbated by clogged waterways and insufficient understanding of early warning systems, as noted by Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator for the Philippines Office of Civil Defense. He emphasized the need for improved early warning communication and better infrastructure to cope with increasingly severe storms driven by climate change.
The Philippines is frequently affected by typhoons, but this year has also been mired in a corruption scandal regarding flood control projects. Accusations against numerous legislators, senators, and construction firms involve receiving kickbacks from funds intended for flood prevention measures.
Vietnam Braces for Impact
As Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches central Vietnam, preparations are underway to mitigate potential damage. The storm’s trajectory indicates that provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai, and Dak Lak could face severe weather conditions, with authorities estimating that around 350,000 individuals may need evacuation in Gia Lai province.
Vietnam is still recovering from flooding that occurred just last week, which caused significant destruction, killing at least 13 people and inundating over 116,000 homes. The historic town of Hoi An, known for its picturesque streets and wooden houses, has also been severely affected, with local resident Tran Van Tien stating, “I have witnessed floods many times, and this is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
The Climate Crisis and Future Threats
The western Pacific region is the most active tropical basin globally, and the frequency and intensity of storms have been exacerbated by rising ocean temperatures. The last eight years have seen record high ocean temperatures, which provide additional energy for storm formation. As climate change continues to affect weather patterns, rainfall events are becoming more intense, as demonstrated by both Typhoon Kalmaegi and recent flooding in Vietnam.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of this devastating storm, it is clear that evolving climate conditions will pose ongoing challenges for disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines and beyond.
