In the Philippines, a state of calamity is a condition involving mass casualty, major damage to property, and disruption to means of livelihoods and the normal way of life for people in the affected areas.
It gives government agencies more power to access emergency funds and fast-track the procurement and delivery of essential goods and services to those in need.
Most of the deaths in the Philippines were due to drowning, reports said. The storm sent torrents of muddy water down hillsides and into towns and cities.
Damage to Cebu’s residential areas was extensive, with many small buildings swept away and a thick carpet of mud left by the retreating floodwaters.
Local officials described the havoc wrought by the storm as “unprecedented”.
Residents returning to their destroyed homes are reeling from the deadly floods earlier this week.
Jel-an Moira Servas, a business owner who lives in Mandaue city, told the BBC that she found herself waist-deep in water within minutes when her house became flooded. She quickly evacuated with her family, bringing only light items like food and electronics.
“Right now, the rain has completely stopped and the sun is out, but our houses are still filled with mud, and everything inside is in shambles,” she said. “We don’t even know where to start cleaning. I can’t even look at it without crying.”
