Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc across the central Philippines, resulting in at least 140 fatalities and leaving 127 individuals unaccounted for, according to official reports released on Thursday. The storm, now en route to Vietnam, unleashed unprecedented flooding in Cebu province, sweeping away vehicles, riverside shanties, and even massive shipping containers. The national civil defence office confirmed 114 deaths, with an additional 28 reported by Cebu provincial authorities. In Liloan, a town near Cebu City, 35 bodies were recovered from flood-ravaged areas, where cars were piled atop each other and roofs were torn off buildings. Residents are struggling to recover from the devastation, with many recounting harrowing tales of survival. Christine Aton, 29, described the tragic loss of her sister Michelle, who was trapped in her bedroom as floodwaters rose. On Negros Island, at least 30 people perished as heavy rains triggered volcanic mudflows that buried homes in Canlaon City. The national death toll also includes six crew members of a military helicopter that crashed during a relief mission. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of such storms to human-driven climate change, with warmer oceans and a more moisture-laden atmosphere exacerbating their impact. Nearly 800,000 people were evacuated from the typhoon’s path. As Kalmaegi approaches Vietnam, fears are mounting that it could compound the damage from recent flooding that has already claimed 47 lives. The storm, with windspeeds of 155 kph and gusts up to 190 kph, is forecast to make landfall in central Vietnam late Thursday, bringing waves as high as eight meters and powerful storm surges. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has urged local authorities to treat the situation as ‘urgent and dangerous,’ labeling Kalmaegi as ‘a very abnormal’ storm. The Philippines has already experienced its average of 20 such storms this year, with at least ‘three to five more’ expected by December’s end.