The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines has risen to 46, according to officials, with six members of a military helicopter crew among the casualties. The Huey helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao Island while on a humanitarian disaster response mission, prompting an investigation. The helicopter went down around noon, situated approximately 270 kilometers from Cebu, the region most severely impacted by the typhoon.
Local authorities have reported that the majority of deaths in the hardest-hit Cebu region were caused by drowning or falling debris, with a single fatality recorded on the nearby Bohol island. Cebu’s provincial information officer noted a sudden increase in reported casualties as rescue operations were initiated and information began to pour in.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, has gradually weakened since making landfall early Tuesday. Nevertheless, it continues to deliver strong winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 165 kilometers per hour, inundating the Visayas islands and moving towards northern Palawan and the South China Sea. In anticipation of the storm, tens of thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes in the Visayas region and parts of southern Luzon and northern Mindanao, as extensive flooding caused widespread damage.
Accountability for the rapidly increasing casualty figures continued as searches for missing persons intensified. Reports indicated that floods had begun to subside in Cebu City by late Tuesday, yet power outages and sporadic telecommunications services remain problematic in many areas. Verified videos from social media depicted significant flooding, with cars and streets submerged while some vehicles were swept away in the torrents.
Cebu City resident John Patajo described the situation: “We were really anxious because the longer the rains continued, the higher the floodwaters rose… we decided to head up to our roof.” As rescue teams from the Philippine Red Cross navigated through knee-deep waters, they assisted stranded residents with boats in affected areas where only rooftops were visible above the waterline.
All signs indicate that Kalmaegi is expected to exit the Philippines by late Wednesday or early Thursday, but the threat from the storm is set to continue as it may potentially make a second landfall in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government alerted its citizens to prepare for the typhoon’s arrival, which follows a week of severe flooding that has already impacted the country.
In light of the challenges presented by Typhoon Kalmaegi, the Philippines has been grappling with a series of natural disasters, including recent earthquakes and severe weather events. Authorities emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness and response strategies as the Philippines often faces significant storm activity, which can lead to devastating floods and landslides. The communal spirit and coordinated efforts in recovery by both citizens and authorities reflect hope amid such tragedies, underscoring the resilience of affected communities in the region.
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