Today, Typhoon Kalmaegi has made landfall in the central Philippines, bringing heavy rains and strong winds, resulting in at least four fatalities. This information has been reported by DW, citing local authorities.
The typhoon hit land around midnight in the eastern province of Southern Leyte and also struck Cebu, where residents are still recovering from a powerful earthquake that occurred in October.
Yesterday afternoon, the typhoon reached wind speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 195 km/h.
Today, a military helicopter dispatched to assist with relief efforts crashed in the northern part of Mindanao island.
Kalmaegi is expected to pass through the Visayas region and emerge into the South China Sea by Wednesday. The Vietnamese government has stated that it is preparing for the worst-case scenario as the typhoon approaches.
The Philippine Red Cross reported that people are trapped on the roofs of their homes. In the city of Mandaue, water levels have reached head height.
Scientists link the intensification of climate change to rising ocean temperatures and the strengthening of storms, alongside other extreme weather events.