Typhoon Kalmaegi makes landfall in the Visayas, prompting mass evacuations
Powerful Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in the Dinagat Islands in the central Philippines before 11:00 p.m. (1500 GMT), driving more than 150,000 people from coastal communities into temporary shelters as it battered the region with sustained winds of about 150 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h.
According to the Office of Civil Defence, close to 156,000 people had been pre-emptively evacuated by 8 p.m., with focused efforts on provinces vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. Authorities ordered relocations in hard-hit towns on Leyte, Samar and Dinagat, and some local governments carried out forced evacuations to protect residents.
"As of now, there is strong rain and winds starting. We're sitting on the stairs and praying while trying to gauge the typhoon's strength," said 34-year-old Miriam Vargas, a single mother sheltering with her two children in Dinagat after power went out.
Civil defence officials warned of possible storm surges of around three metres (10 feet) in parts of Samar and other exposed coastal areas. In Loreto town on Dinagat Island, residents were ordered to move to higher ground; the town relies on a one-storey dike to protect its centre from large waves.
Officials emphasized that Kalmaegi brings the Philippines to its typical annual storm average — roughly 20 named storms — and state weather service specialist Charmaine Varilla said the country could see an additional three to five storms before the end of December. Varilla and other scientists noted that natural patterns such as La Niña can increase cyclone frequency, while human-driven climate change is linked to stronger, more destructive storms.
The archipelago has recently been struck by several severe systems: Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 caused catastrophic storm surges and more than 6,000 deaths in affected areas, and two major storms in September — including Super Typhoon Ragasa — caused widespread damage and were associated with fatalities in the region.
Preparedness and risks
Disaster officials continue to monitor Kalmaegi's progress and coordinate relief and evacuation centers. Residents in low-lying and coastal communities were urged to follow evacuation orders, prepare emergency supplies, and avoid traveling until warnings are lifted. Emergency services warned of risks from flooding, storm surge, falling debris and power outages.
Sources: Office of Civil Defence, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and local disaster officials.
