Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, has strengthened in recent hours and has been classified as a typhoon, registering sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour with gusts up to 135 km/h, according to the Philippine meteorological agency, Pagasa.
As of Monday morning, the center of the storm was located 340 kilometers east of Samar Island in the Central Visayas, where it is projected to make landfall with winds that could reach 165 km/h.
The meteorological agency has warned of heavy rainfall associated with the typhoon, with a risk of severe flooding. At least 7,000 residents in coastal areas of Dinagat Islands have been evacuated as a precaution, while schools and public services will remain closed until Wednesday, according to regional governor Nilo Demerey in an interview with GMA News.
On the tourist island of Siargao, local authorities have also ordered evacuations in coastal areas and suspended tourism and fishing activities, according to the news portal Rappler. The city of Cebu, with a population of about one million, raised its alert level in preparation for the typhoon’s arrival.
Kalmaegi is expected to weaken as it crosses central Philippines but may regain strength as it moves across the South China Sea towards central Vietnam, where it could arrive by Friday. The country is still recovering from recent flooding that caused at least 35 deaths.
The Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, primarily during the rainy season, which generally lasts from June to November or December.
