State of National Calamity Declared in Philippines After Typhoon Kalmaegi Onslaught
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approves nationwide calamity declaration as Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves over 140 dead and millions affected, another powerful storm, Fung wong, expected to hit soon.
Manila, Nov 6 — Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national calamity following the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has claimed at least 140 lives and left 127 missing across the country.
The president said the decision came after recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), given the widespread damage caused by the typhoon and the looming threat of another storm, Typhoon Fung-wong (locally known as Uwan).
“Because of the scope of the problem areas that have been hit by Tino (international name Kalmaegi) and will be hit by Uwan, I approved the NDRRMC’s proposal to declare a national calamity,” Marcos said, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Kalmaegi, the 20th typhoon to strike the Philippines in 2025, exited the country early Thursday after wreaking havoc across several provinces. The NDRRMC reported that more than 500,000 families nearly 1.9 million people were affected by the storm, which triggered massive flooding, landslides, and power outages.
Authorities are now on high alert as Typhoon Fung-wong continues to gather strength in the Pacific and is forecast to intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall this weekend.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in affected regions, with the national calamity declaration enabling the government to mobilize additional funds, expedite aid distribution, and impose price controls on essential goods in disaster hit areas.
