Severe flooding swept parts of the central Philippines and widespread transport disruptions put thousands of people ashore as Typhoon Kalmaegi advanced westward, residents and officials said. The storm coincided with a shear line that produced heavy rains, and authorities reported a military helicopter crash during relief operations that left six crew remains recovered.
Residents in Cebu province reported unprecedented floodwaters that swept through neighborhoods, leaving scores of people trapped on rooftops and cars submerged as floodwaters began to recede. Images and accounts from affected areas showed destroyed homes and overturned vehicles, signaling significant damage to residential areas as waters ebbed. The combination of intense rainfall and surging water levels contributed to both immediate entrapment and visible structural destruction across the province.
Meteorological authorities reported that as of 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Typhoon Kalmaegi was moving westward with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 180 kph. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said a shear line combined with the storm to produce the heavy rains that fell over parts of the archipelago, exacerbating flood risks already heightened by the cyclone’s passage.
Rough seas linked to the storm forced a suspension of sea travel, the Philippine Coast Guard said, leaving more than 4,740 passengers and port workers stranded along with 104 vessels and 1,649 cargo trucks. The halted marine traffic disrupted passenger movements and freight transport, stranding people at ports and creating logistical complications for cargo deliveries and supply chains as operators awaited safer conditions to resume operations.
The storm’s broader humanitarian response was also affected. On Tuesday the Philippine military confirmed that a Super Huey helicopter crashed while en route to Butuan in support of relief operations. Eastern Mindanao Command reported that six crew remains were recovered. The crash occurred amid ongoing efforts to deliver assistance and support to affected communities, underscoring the operational hazards facing responders working in conditions shaped by strong winds and heavy rain.
Scientists have sounded broader concerns about storm intensity in the region, pointing to warmer ocean temperatures as a factor that can intensify tropical systems. The Philippines this year has already reached its annual average of about 20 storms, and forecasters expect at least three to five more systems by December, indicating a prolonged period of elevated storm risk for the country. The convergence of a persistent storm season and conditions that can enhance storm strength presents continued challenges for emergency management and coastal communities.
As waters receded in some localities, the immediate priorities remain search, rescue and relief for those who were trapped or displaced, assessment of structural damage to homes and infrastructure, and restoration of disrupted transport links. The suspension of sea travel and the stranding of passengers and cargo are likely to persist until seas calm and authorities deem maritime operations safe to resume. Meanwhile, military and civilian agencies involved in relief efforts face the dual tasks of assisting affected populations while operating in hazardous conditions that have already claimed lives among response personnel.