The Philippines is reeling from the devastating impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi, with the death toll reaching 46, including six crew members from a military helicopter that tragically crashed during the storm. The Huey helicopter went down in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao Island while engaged in a humanitarian disaster response mission. The military has confirmed the recovery of the crew’s bodies and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The helicopter crash occurred approximately 270 kilometers from heavily affected Cebu Island, where authorities reported that 39 people lost their lives due to drowning and falling debris. Another fatality was confirmed on the nearby island of Bohol. Typhoon Kalmaegi, or Tino, made landfall early Tuesday and has since weakened, yet it continues to unleash severe winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour with gusts reaching 165 kilometers as it moves through the Visayas region towards northern Palawan and then into the South China Sea.
As the storm approached, thousands of residents were evacuated from low-lying areas, where extensive flooding has submerged homes. The situation in Cebu City has rapidly deteriorated, with increased casualties reported as ongoing rescue operations unfold amidst the chaos. Ainjeliz Orong, a provincial information officer, indicated that the number of fatalities was quickly updated as responders gathered more information. Although floodwaters in some parts of the city subsided late Tuesday, many neighborhoods are still without power, and communication services remain sporadic.
Dramatic footage from the floods reveals cars and streets submerged under water, with residents like John Patajo sharing harrowing accounts of escaping rising waters that reached their rooftops. The Philippine Red Cross has shared images of dedicated workers navigating through knee-deep waters and using boats to rescue trapped residents. In some areas, only rooftops are visible above the floodwaters, making recovery and restoration efforts a major priority.
The typhoon is predicted to exit the Philippines late Wednesday or early Thursday. As the country grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the Vietnamese government has begun preparations for potential impacts from the cyclone, expected to make landfall in Vietnam’s central regions this Thursday night amidst ongoing severe flooding.
While the Philippines is no stranger to tropical storms, the recent disasters underscore the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response strategies. Building resilience within affected communities is essential as they work to recover from the substantial damage inflicted by such natural events. The collaborative efforts in recovery efforts foster a hopeful outlook for the impacted regions as they unite to rebuild and move forward from this tragic episode.