Typhoon leaves at least 2 dead, traps people on roofs and submerges cars

MANILA, Philippines — A fast-moving typhoon swept through the central Philippines on Monday, causing widespread devastation. The typhoon made landfall overnight, leaving at least two people dead and displacing tens of thousands of residents. Flash floods engulfed villages, trapping people on rooftops and submerging cars.

Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the city of Bacolod in central Negros Occidental province with winds reaching up to 140 kilometers per hour. It had gusts of up to 195 kph after making landfall in the town of Silago in Southern Leyte province.

Reports confirmed two fatalities, one due to drowning in Southern Leyte and another from a fallen tree in Bohol province. The Philippine Red Cross reported residents stranded on rooftops in Cebu province due to rising floodwaters.

Kalmaegi caused extensive damage in Eastern Samar, tearing off roofs and damaging hundreds of shanties. Despite the destruction, there were no casualties reported, with residents resilient in the face of adversity.

The typhoon, the 20th to hit the Philippines this year, was expected to move westward and eventually into the South China Sea. Evacuations were carried out in anticipation of torrential rains and strong winds.

Central island provinces like Cebu, still recovering from a recent earthquake, were on high alert. Mount Kanlaon in Negros island posed a threat of volcanic mudflows due to heavy rains.

Ferry services and flights were disrupted, leaving thousands stranded. The Philippines, prone to natural disasters, faces numerous challenges in the wake of such calamities.

Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.