The Philippines is reeling from yet another devastating typhoon, and this time, the impact is nothing short of catastrophic. Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction in its wake, claiming dozens of lives and displacing hundreds of thousands in a matter of days. But here's where it gets even more alarming: this isn't an isolated incident. The country is no stranger to such disasters, yet the frequency and intensity of these storms are raising serious questions about the role of climate change. And this is the part most people miss—how human actions might be fueling these increasingly deadly weather events.
More than 40 people have lost their lives, and entire communities are now homeless after Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed torrential rains and ferocious winds across the central Philippines. The island of Cebu bore the brunt of the storm, with entire towns submerged under floodwaters. Dramatic videos verified by AFP show cars, trucks, and even massive shipping containers being swept away like toys in the muddy deluge. In Cebu province alone, 39 deaths have been confirmed by provincial information officer Ainjeliz Orong, though this figure excludes fatalities in the provincial capital, Cebu City, which are tallied separately. At least five more deaths have been reported in neighboring provinces, including a heartbreaking story of an elderly resident who drowned in the upper floor of their home in Leyte and a man in Bohol struck by a falling tree.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While some might see this as just another natural disaster, scientists are sounding the alarm that storms like Kalmaegi are becoming more powerful due to human-driven climate change. Warmer oceans are supercharging typhoons, and a hotter atmosphere is holding more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall. Is this the new normal, or can we still turn the tide? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In the 24 hours leading up to Kalmaegi’s landfall, Cebu City was drenched with 183 millimeters of rain—far exceeding its monthly average of 131 millimeters. Weather specialist Charmagne Varilla described the situation as “unprecedented,” a sentiment echoed by provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro. “We expected the winds to be the main threat, but it’s the water that’s truly endangering our people,” she told reporters. “The floodwaters are devastating.”
Local disaster official Ethel Minoza confirmed the recovery of two children’s bodies in Cebu City, where rescuers are still battling to reach residents trapped by the floods. Don del Rosario, a 28-year-old resident, recounted the terror of the storm: “The water rose so fast. By 4 a.m., it was uncontrollable—people were trapped in their homes. I’ve lived here for 28 years, and this is by far the worst we’ve ever seen.”
In Eastern Samar, one of the first regions hit by Kalmaegi, fierce winds ripped off roofs and damaged nearly 300 rural shanties on Homonhon Island. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported there, according to Mayor Annaliza Gonzales Kwan.
Adding to the tragedy, a helicopter deployed for typhoon relief efforts crashed on northern Mindanao island, killing all six people on board. The Super Huey helicopter was en route to Butuan City when it went down, with search and recovery operations still underway. Air Force spokesperson Colonel Maria Christina Basco confirmed the recovery of the remains, though identities are yet to be verified.
Kalmaegi is now moving westward through the Visayan island chain, slightly weakened with winds of 120 kph and gusts of 165 kph. But the Philippines is far from out of the woods. The country is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons annually, often striking disaster-prone areas where millions live in poverty. In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan—one of the most powerful cyclones ever recorded—devastated the central Philippines, leaving over 7,300 dead or missing, flattening villages, and displacing four million people.
With Kalmaegi, the Philippines has already reached its annual storm average, and weather specialist Varilla warns that “three to five more” storms could hit before the year ends. Just last September, the country was battered by two major storms, including Super Typhoon Ragasa, which caused widespread destruction and killed 14 people in Taiwan.
Here’s a thought-provoking question to leave you with: As these storms become more frequent and deadly, how much longer can we afford to ignore the connection between climate change and extreme weather? Share your opinions below—we want to hear from you.
