Lillon. Typhoon Kalmegi has killed at least 140 people and left 127 missing. Unprecedented floods and landslides in different parts of the country have caused huge loss of life and property. Meanwhile, the typhoon is currently heading towards Vietnam.

Kalmegi is the deadliest typhoon of 2025 so far, according to disaster database EM-DOT. Typhoon Trami was the third deadliest typhoon in the Philippines last year, killing 191 people.

This time, unprecedented flooding has swept through cities in Cebu province from slums along the river to vehicles and large shipping containers. Normal life has been completely disrupted due to the floods. According to the National Civil Defense Office, 114 deaths had been confirmed as of Thursday, but authorities in Cebu province recorded 28 more deaths, bringing the total to 140.

In the city of Lilón, near Cebu City, 35 bodies have been found. Witnesses to AFP reported seeing cars piled on top of each other, roofs torn off and residents desperately desperately searching for their loved ones through the mud and rubble.

Local resident Kristin Eaton recounted the tragedy of not being able to save her disabled sister, Michelle, when she was swept away by floodwaters. “We used a kitchen knife and a crowbar to break open the door, but it didn’t work. The fridge started to flow. My father and I swam out but my sister got stuck,” he said, tears welling up in his eyes. ’

Another resident, Chiros Roa, a father of two, said: “The barking sound of our dog saved us. When the water entered the house, we reached the roof. But when we called for rescue, no one came—we had heard that some of them had been electrocuted. ’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a “state of national disaster” and ordered the government to open up the government fund for relief and impose a cap on the price of essential goods.

State meteorologist Benison Estereza said Kalmegi dumped 1.5 times more rain in Cebu than it normally receives in November. This happens only “once every 20 years”. According to him, Cebu’s excessive urbanization has made the flood damage worse.

Reynaldo Vergara, a local trader, said, “At 4-5 in the morning, the current was so strong that we could not get out. I have never seen such a scene in my life. “His shop was completely destroyed.

Provincial governor Pamela Barquetro called the situation “unprecedented” and urged people to remain on high alert. According to scientists, due to man-made climate change, the current typhoons are becoming more powerful and destructive. Rainfall is unusually intense because the warmer oceans make hurricanes stronger and the warmer atmosphere holds more moisture.

Meanwhile, Kalmagi is heading towards Vietnam by Thursday evening. The typhoon is gaining wind speed and is expected to bring waves up to eight meters high and powerful rain to central Vietnam. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called Kalmengi an “urgent and dangerous emergency” and instructed local authorities to take all precautionary measures. Thousands of residents in coastal areas have been ordered to evacuate immediately.

Normally, 10 typhoons or tropical storms affect Vietnam directly or indirectly every year, but Kalmegi is the 13th typhoon of 2025. There have been 20 typhoons in the Philippines this year alone. State meteorologist Charmaine Warilla said “at least three to five more storms” were possible by the end of December.

Similarly, Tropical Storm ‘Phang-Wong’ is still active in the eastern part of the country. It has warned that it will turn into a powerful super typhoon as it heads towards the main island of Luzon. The Philippine government has issued a nationwide state of alert, intensifying relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts.