MANILA, Philippines -- Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least 26 people dead in the Philippines, mostly in flooding set off by the storm, which barreled across the central part of the country on Tuesday, disaster response officials said. Floodwaters trapped scores of people on their roofs and submerged cars.

The Philippines has been hit by one of the strongest storms this year. A state of calamity has been declared so that the government can more easily help the people who have been affected by the extreme weather.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, which battered the Philippines, was detected to be approximately 405km northwest of Kudat, Sabah, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

Heavy rain and floods are possible in the Northeast, the East, the Central Plains and the North from Friday to Sunday due to the influence of incoming Typhoon Kalmaegi, warns the Meteorological Department.