At least 58 people have been confirmed dead after Typhoon Kalmaegi tore through the central Philippines, leaving a path of destruction before heading toward the South China Sea on Wednesday, officials said.
The powerful storm, locally named Tino, battered the Visayas region and parts of Mindanao on Tuesday, unleashing heavy rains and strong winds that triggered floods, landslides, and widespread power outages.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 13 people remain missing.
Among the fatalities were six military personnel killed when their helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, during a humanitarian mission to deliver relief supplies.
Scenes of devastation emerged in Cebu province, a major tourist destination, where floodwaters have begun to recede, revealing destroyed homes, overturned vehicles, and streets littered with debris.
The region was still recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu just over a month ago, killing dozens and displacing thousands.
More than 200,000 residents were evacuated across central and southern parts of the country ahead of the storm, which brought sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 165 kph.
Authorities warned that many communities remain isolated due to impassable roads and communication blackouts.
The state weather agency PAGASA said Kalmaegi has weakened slightly after crossing the Philippine archipelago but is expected to regain strength as it moves westward over the South China Sea.
The storm is forecast to make landfall in Vietnam on Friday, where officials are already preparing emergency shelters and evacuations.
Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, following a series of severe weather events that have tested the country’s disaster response system.
In September, Super Typhoon Ragasa swept across northern Luzon, forcing widespread shutdowns and causing extensive damage.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered all government agencies to prioritize search, rescue, and relief operations, calling the typhoon’s impact “a national tragedy demanding unity and swift action.”
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
