Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaks havoc across the Philippines, leaving at least 114 dead and hundreds missing as floodwaters submerge towns

The Philippines has declared a national state of calamity after Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed catastrophic flooding across the country, killing at least 114 people and leaving more than a hundred others missing.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr made the announcement on Thursday, describing the devastation as “a national calamity” after the storm submerged towns across the central region, particularly on Cebu Island, the country’s most densely populated area. Officials confirmed that 71 people were killed in Cebu alone, with another 127 still missing and 82 injured.

Provincial authorities later reported an additional 28 deaths not yet included in national figures, suggesting the final toll could rise sharply.

“This is one of the strongest storms we’ve faced this year,” President Marcos told reporters. “Almost 10 to 12 regions have been affected. With this scale of destruction, it’s only right that we declare a state of calamity.”

The designation enables the government to tap into emergency funds, fast-track disaster relief, and authorise local authorities to expedite recovery efforts in areas where infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services have been wiped out.

Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, made landfall earlier this week before cutting a devastating path across the central Philippines. It triggered landslides and sent torrents of muddy water cascading down hillsides, sweeping through entire communities and trapping families in their homes.

Local officials in Cebu described the flooding as “unprecedented,” with aerial footage showing entire neighbourhoods swallowed by thick brown water and debris. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, many forced to seek refuge in evacuation centres after their homes were destroyed.

In Mandaue City, business owner Jel-an Moira Servas told the BBC how floodwaters engulfed her home within minutes. “We were waist-deep in water before we knew it,” she said. “Right now, the rain has stopped and the sun is out, but our homes are still full of mud. Everything is ruined, we don’t even know where to start cleaning.”

The national disaster agency said more than 400,000 residents have been displaced in Cebu alone, which has a population of 2.5 million. Among the confirmed deaths were six military crew members whose helicopter crashed on Mindanao island while delivering emergency supplies to flood-hit areas.

Rescuers say they were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. “This is the worst flood I’ve ever experienced,” said volunteer rescuer Carlos Jose Lañas, 19. “Almost every river in Cebu overflowed. Even trained responders didn’t expect this level of destruction. There were just too many people calling for help.”

Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 20th tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines this year, has now exited the country and is moving west towards central Vietnam. The storm has continued to intensify, with maximum sustained winds reaching 155 km/h. Vietnamese authorities have already cancelled or rescheduled more than 50 flights ahead of its expected landfall on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Thailand is bracing for possible flash floods, landslides and overflowing rivers as the storm pushes further inland.

Kalmaegi’s devastation follows a string of deadly weather events in the Philippines. Just weeks ago, Super Typhoon Ragasa and Typhoon Bualoi struck in rapid succession, killing dozens and destroying crops and infrastructure. Earlier this year, a record-breaking monsoon season sparked widespread flooding and public anger over unfinished and substandard flood-control projects, many linked to corruption.

As emergency teams race to reach isolated communities and recover the missing, authorities warn that another tropical storm, Uwan, is already forming and could hit the country within days.

“This disaster is not over,” President Marcos said grimly. “We must act fast to protect our people from what comes nex