Nigeria TV Info – International News

Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves 66 Dead, Hundreds of Thousands Displaced in the Philippines

At least 66 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes after Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the strongest storms to hit the Philippines this year, swept through the central region earlier this week.

The typhoon, locally known as Tino, brought days of torrential rain and powerful winds that triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread destruction across several provinces. The central island of Cebu was the hardest hit, accounting for most of the fatalities, while authorities report that at least 26 people remain missing.

Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro, in a statement shared on Facebook late Tuesday, described the situation as “unprecedented,” noting that the scale of the flooding caught many communities off guard.

 “We were prepared for strong winds, but the floodwaters have proven to be the greatest danger,” Baricuatro said. “Neighborhoods have been submerged, livelihoods destroyed, and thousands are now displaced. It is heartbreaking.”

Baricuatro has declared a state of calamity in Cebu to accelerate rescue and relief operations. Videos and images circulating on social media show residents clinging to rooftops as chest-deep floodwaters sweep through communities, carrying vehicles, shipping containers, and debris.

Among the casualties were six crew members of a Philippine Air Force helicopter that crashed during disaster response efforts in Mindanao, south of Cebu. The aircraft went missing while delivering supplies to affected areas and was later found in Agusan del Sur province.