Thousands Evacuated Ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi’s Landfall
Manila, Philippines – Authorities have evacuated thousands from coastal and low-lying areas as Typhoon Kalmaegi heads toward the Philippines. The storm, packing winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), is set to hit northern Luzon by Thursday, raising risks of floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
Preemptive Evacuations and Disaster Response
Learning from past disasters like Typhoon Haiyan (2013), the government has ordered mandatory evacuations for over 12,000 families in Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora provinces. Emergency shelters are operational, and relief supplies are pre-positioned in high-risk zones.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, urging compliance with evacuation protocols.
Typhoon Kalmaegi’s Path and Expected Impact
According to PAGASA (Philippine weather bureau), Typhoon Kalmaegi (locally named Jenny) is moving west-northwest at 20 km/h. Key threats include:
– Heavy rainfall: Up to 200 mm (8 inches) in some areas.
– Storm surges: Coastal waves up to 3 meters (10 feet).
– Landslides & outages: Already reported in Benguet and Ilocos Norte.
How the Philippines Is Preparing
The country, prone to typhoons, has activated:
– Early warning systems and mobile alerts.
– Community drills and real-time social media updates (#KalmaegiPH).
– International aid from UN, Red Cross, and neighboring nations.
Travel and Economic Disruptions
- Transport halted: 3,000+ passengers stranded due to suspended ferries and flights.
- Crop losses: Farmers rush to harvest rice in Cagayan Valley ahead of the storm.
Long-Term Resilience Challenges
President Marcos Jr. has deferred non-essential travel to oversee operations. With climate change fueling stronger storms, the Philippines faces ongoing challenges in disaster preparedness.
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— Reporting by Rhea Kapoor, NextMinuteNews
