CEBU: The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines surged past 90 on Wednesday as authorities uncovered the full scale of destruction in Cebu province, which faced the worst flooding in decades.

According to local officials, floodwaters described as “unprecedented” swept through towns and cities across Cebu, submerging neighborhoods, sweeping away vehicles, and destroying riverside homes. Cebu provincial spokesperson Rhon Ramos said 35 more bodies were recovered from the flooded areas of Liloan, bringing the provincial death toll to 76.

Earlier, national civil defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro confirmed at least 17 more fatalities in other provinces, adding that 26 people remain missing. “It was the major cities that got hit with floods — highly urbanised areas,” Alejandro told local radio.

Residents described scenes of chaos and devastation as they returned to mud-covered streets. “The flood here yesterday was really severe,” said Reynaldo Vergara, a 53-year-old shop owner in Cebu City. “Everything in my small shop was washed away. The water came so fast — nothing like this has ever happened.”

Meteorologists reported that the area around Cebu City received 183 millimetres of rain within 24 hours — surpassing its usual monthly average of 131 millimetres. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro called the situation “unprecedented,” saying authorities had expected wind damage, but “the water is what’s truly putting our people at risk.”

Scientists have long warned that typhoons are intensifying due to climate change, with warmer oceans fueling stronger storms and heavier rainfall. Nearly 400,000 people were evacuated before Kalmaegi made landfall.

In a related development, the Philippine military confirmed that a Super Huey helicopter deployed for relief operations crashed on northern Mindanao island while en route to Butuan City. Six people, including two pilots and four crew members, were confirmed dead, according to air force spokesperson Colonel Maria Christina Basco.

As of Wednesday morning, Typhoon Kalmaegi was moving westward toward Palawan with sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts of up to 180 km/h.

The Philippines faces about 20 major storms each year. With Kalmaegi, that annual average has already been reached — and meteorologists warn that three to five more storms could still strike before the year’s end.