Kalmaegi toll at 204 as new typhoon nears Philippines
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The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines has risen to 204 with 109 still missing as the country braces for another powerful typhoon.
Nearly three million people were affected by Kalmaegi, which triggered one of the worst floods in years and landslides in central provinces.
Authorities urged storm-weary residents to prepare for more torrential rain, as Typhoon Fung-Wong threatened a wide area of the Philippines, possibly including regions devastated by Kalmaegi.
The weather bureau warned of life-threatening storm surges of up to five metres and destructive winds as Fung-Wong churns toward the country’s eastern coast. The typhoon is forecast to intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall on Sunday night or early Monday in the northern Aurora province.
Fung-Wong could also potentially affect the densely populated capital region of Manila.
The typhoon’s massive circulation, spanning 1500km, is already lashing parts of eastern Philippines with heavy rains and winds, PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Estareja said in a briefing.
“It can cover almost the entire country,” Estareja said.
Fung-Wong is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140km/h and gusts of up to 170km/h, and could intensify to 185km/h as it nears land, Estareja said, powerful enough to destroy homes, topple trees and structures.
Up to 200mm of rainfall is expected in eastern Philippine provinces, particularly in the Bicol region, as well as parts of Samar, raising the risk of widespread flooding and landslides, while northern and central Luzon could see 100-200mm rainfall during its passage.
PAGASA urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground and halt all marine activities, warning of destructive storm surges that could inundate coastal communities, and warned of violent winds.
Several local governments have suspended classes for Monday, and the Philippines’ flag carrier has cancelled some flights, ahead of Fung-Wong’s expected landfall.
The warning comes just days after Typhoon Kalmaegi left a trail of destruction across the region, ripping through coastal communities, toppling trees, and shredding roofs and windows.
Kalmaegi killed more than 200 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, displacing hundreds of thousands, and knocking out power across wide areas.
Vietnam’s disaster agency reported damage to nearly 2800 homes, and said about 500,000 people remain without electricity. In the Philippines, raging floods destroyed homes and clogged streets with debris.
Vietnam and the Philippines are highly vulnerable to tropical storms and typhoons due to their locations along the Pacific typhoon belt, regularly experiencing damage and casualties during peak storm seasons.
In Thailand, Kalmaegi’s lingering impact caused heavy rain and localised flooding in parts of the northeast and central regions.
Scientists have warned that storms such as Kalmaegi are becoming more powerful as global temperatures rise.
with DPA and AP
Reuters
