Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall around midnight in the coastal town of Silago, Southern Leyte, before sweeping westward across the Visayas. By midday, it was battering Bacolod City with winds of up to 140 kph (87 mph) and gusts reaching 195 kph (121 mph), according to weather forecasters.
Damage Across the Eastern Seaboard
An elderly villager drowned in Southern Leyte’s floodwaters, while another person in Bohol was killed by a falling tree. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as reports from remote areas continue to arrive.
In Cebu province, floodwaters reached head level, trapping dozens on rooftops in Liloan and submerging cars across nearby communities. “We’ve received so many calls for help, but debris and high water make rescues impossible,” said Gwendolyn Pang of the Philippine Red Cross.
Travel Disruptions and Safety Warnings
Across Eastern Samar, powerful winds tore roofs from homes, though no deaths were reported. Over 150,000 residents were evacuated ahead of the storm, which disrupted sea travel, stranded 3,500 passengers, and canceled 186 flights.
Kalmaegi, the 20th storm to hit the Philippines this year, continues westward toward the South China Sea, leaving destruction and ongoing rescue efforts in its wake.
