Manila: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of national emergency after Typhoon Kalmaegi left at least 114 people dead and hundreds missing in the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country this year. Most of the victims drowned in flash floods that ravaged the central provinces, particularly Cebu, where 71 people died and 65 others remain missing.

The tropical cyclone exited into the South China Sea on Wednesday after battering central Philippines, affecting nearly two million people. According to the Office of Civil Defence, more than 560,000 residents were displaced, including 450,000 who were moved to evacuation shelters.

President Marcos’s declaration will allow the government to release emergency funds faster and prevent food hoarding and price manipul

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