Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency after Typhoon Kalmaegi killed 114 leaving hundreds missing in the central provinces, making it the country’s deadliest natural disaster this year.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday declared a state of emergency after 114 people lost their lives as Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the area leaving hundreds missing in the central provinces becoming the deadliest natural disaster which affected the country in this year.
The death toll reached hundreds as most of them drowned completely in floods, which was hit the hardest in the central province of Cebu. About 127 people went missing, and the tropical storm blew out of the archipelago on Wednesday into the South China Sea.
The fierce effect of the typhoon affected nearly about 2 million people and displaced more than 560,000 villagers, including nearly 450,000 who were evacuated to emergency shelters as informed by the office of Civil Defence.
The heavy rain caused by the storm proved to be the biggest danger. The area around Cebu City received a massive 183 millimetres (seven inches) of rain in just 24 hours, far exceeding the typical monthly amount of 131 millimetres.
State of natural calamity
Marcos declared the state of emergency after reviewing the condition of the state and stating it as a “state of national calamity” declaration. He made the decision during a meeting with disaster-response officials to assess the typhoon’s aftermath.
This was imposed to stop people from paying a larger amount and prevent food hoarding. People are still dealing with the deadly and disastrous impact of Kalmaegi. According to AP, officials also warned that another tropical cyclone from the Pacific could strengthen into a super typhoon and batter the northern Philippines early next week.
Cebu: The hardest hit province
Kalmaegi hit Cebu province the hardest and caused a flooded river. The flooding engulfed adjoining residential communities, who were forced to flee and climb on their roots when they pleaded to be rescued.
At least 71 people died alone in Cebu province due to drownings in which 65 others were reported missing and 69 injured, the Office of Civil Defence stated.
“We did everything we can for the typhoon but, you know, there are really some unexpected things like flash floods,” Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro told news agency The Associated Press in a telephonic conversation.
Cebu is still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 30 which displaced thousands and resulted in the death of at least 79 people.
After the typhoon, the situation in Cebu deteriorated as after the earthquake many moved to sturdier evacuation shelters from flimsy tents.
The Philippines fight against about 20 typhoons and storms each year. The country also is often hit by earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
(With inputs from AFP)
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