The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines has tragically reached 46, according to officials, including six crew members of a military helicopter that crashed during the storm. The Huey helicopter went down in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao Island while it was engaged in a humanitarian disaster response mission. The military has reported that the bodies of the crew were recovered, and investigations into the incident are currently underway.
The helicopter crash occurred approximately 270 kilometers from Cebu Island, which has been profoundly affected by the typhoon. Authorities on Cebu reported that 39 individuals died due to drowning and falling debris, while one fatality was confirmed on the neighboring island of Bohol.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, hit the Philippines early Tuesday and has gradually weakened since making landfall. However, it continued to deliver severe winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 165 kilometers per hour as it traversed the Visayas region towards northern Palawan and then the South China Sea. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from low-lying areas ahead of the storm, which has caused extensive flooding and submerged numerous homes.
In Cebu City, the situation has seen a rapid increase in casualties, spurred on by ongoing rescue operations amidst the chaos. Ainjeliz Orong, a provincial information officer, noted that initial reports of fatalities were quickly updated as more information surfaced. Floodwaters in certain areas of the city subsided late on Tuesday, yet many neighborhoods remain without power, and communication services are intermittent.
Dramatic scenes have emerged from the floods, with verified videos illustrating cars and streets engulfed in water. Residents like John Patajo recounted their experiences of seeking safety as the waters rose to their roofs.
As rescue efforts continue, images shared by the Philippine Red Cross depict workers navigating knee-deep floodwaters and using boats to reach trapped residents. With only rooftops visible from houses in some areas, recovery and restoration efforts are a priority.
The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippines late Wednesday or early Thursday. Meanwhile, recent updates indicate that the Vietnamese government is bracing for potential impacts from the cyclone, which is forecasted to make landfall in Vietnam’s central regions this Thursday night. These areas have already been grappling with severe flooding, marking this season as particularly devastating.
While the Philippines often confronts tropical storms, the recent spate of disasters highlights the need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies. Building resilience within communities is critical as they navigate through these tumultuous weather events. Collaborative recovery efforts present a hopeful future for the impacted regions, fostering a collective spirit to rebuild and recover from the widespread tragedies caused by natural disasters.