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THE FATALITY count from Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, kept increasing on Tuesday as disaster authorities gathered preliminary reports from impacted provinces after the fierce tempest unleashed torrential rains and floods across the central Philippines, inundating residences and compelling thousands to flee.
Three individuals were confirmed deceased and at least one person was reported missing in the central province of Cebu, provincial information officer Ainjeliz Orong stated. Two additional fatalities were still undergoing verification.
“We didn’t anticipate this level of flooding,” Ms. Orong noted via telephone.
In the adjacent Bohol province, one individual perished after being struck by a toppled tree, disaster official Anthony Damalerio informed DZMM radio.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Junie B. Castillo, in a call to journalists, mentioned that the agency has received information indicating that the death toll has increased to 26.
“22 were from Central Visayas, two from NIR (Negros Island Region), one from Region 6, and one from Region 8,” he conveyed in Filipino.
In the meantime, over 187,000 individuals were impacted by Typhoon Kalmaegi as it persisted in battering extensive areas of Visayas and neighboring regions, the state disaster agency reported on Tuesday.
In its 12 p.m. situational briefing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated that 187,536 persons were impacted by the typhoon, with 122,519 currently residing in evacuation centers.
Western Visayas experienced the most severe impact from Kalmaegi, where 133,554 individuals were affected, followed by Eastern Visayas (29,160), Central Visayas (11,140), and the Caraga region (11,110).
The agency also reported over 2,100 affected individuals in Mimaropa, and more than 400 others in the Negros Island Region.
Kalmaegi remained classified as a typhoon even as it weakened on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Kalmaegi had already made three landfalls as of Tuesday dawn — first in Silago, Leyte at 12 a.m., Borbon, Cebu at 5:10 a.m., and Sagay City, Negros Occidental at 6:40 a.m.
It was observed near Patnongon, Antique at 4 p.m., packing sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 180 kph, as per PAGASA’s 5 p.m. update. It was moving northwestward at 15 kph.
SIGNAL NO. 4 STILL IN EFFECT
Signal No. 4, indicating expected typhoon-force winds, remains active in Calamian and Cuyo Islands in Luzon and numerous parts of Visayas, encompassing the central and southern regions of Antique, the central and southern regions of Iloilo, and Guimaras.
Signal No. 3 has been raised over portions of Visayas and Luzon likely to experience storm-force winds. These areas include the northernmost section of mainland Palawan, the remainder of Antique including Caluya Islands, Aklan, Capiz, the rest of Iloilo, the northern and central regions of Negros Occidental, and the northern area of Negros Oriental.
In the meantime, Signal No. 2 is active over areas anticipated to experience gale-force winds, including the southwestern section of Masbate, the southern portions of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Romblon, the northern region of Palawan including Cagayancillo Islands, Cebu including Bantayan Islands, the central area of Negros Oriental, and the remainder of Negros Occidental.
Signal No. 1 is hoisted over regions that may experience strong winds, such as the southern segments of Quezon and Marinduque, the rest of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, the remaining parts of Romblon and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, and the central area of Palawan.
Biliran, the northwestern section of Leyte, Camotes Islands, the northern and western areas of Bohol, the remainder of Negros Oriental, and Siquijor are also under Signal No. 1.
“Tino is expected to emerge at Sulu Sea this afternoon or evening and is projected to pass through the northern Palawan region by tomorrow (Nov. 5) early morning,” PAGASA stated.
“It is anticipated to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow evening or Thursday (Nov. 6) early morning.”
TYPHOON RELIEF EFFORTS
In the meantime, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has instructed key Cabinet members to send assistance to provinces heavily impacted by Typhoon Kalmaegi as authorities hasten to restore electricity and clear paths.
In a declaration on his Facebook page, Mr. Marcos mentioned that the government is closely observing the storm’s repercussions.
The Department of Social Work and Development has prepositioned food supplies, the Department of Energy and National Electrification Administration (NEA) are addressing power disruptions, and the Department of Public Works and Highways along with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have mobilized clearing teams, as stated by Mr. Marcos.
Power availability was disrupted in various locations, with eight electric cooperatives reporting complete outages and 15 partially affected, according to the NEA.
Clearing and repair operations are ongoing but hindered by strong winds and heavy rainfall, especially in Mimaropa and the Negros Island Region.
OCD spokesperson Junie B. Castillo mentioned that the NDRRMC has activated its inter-agency coordination center to assess the storm’s impact.
Mr. Castillo indicated that 10,448 disaster response assets and 1,737 personnel have been deployed for debris removal and civil works.
Around 30,000 responders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and local DRRM offices are on standby for search and rescue missions.
He also acknowledged flooding in areas of Caraga and Cebu, where some residents reportedly declined evacuation despite warnings.
When asked about available disaster funds, Mr. Castillo indicated that the government’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) remains adequate, with Mr. Marcos having previously ordered its replenishment following recent earthquakes and typhoons.
Several local authorities in Eastern Visayas are preparing to declare a state of calamity, Mr. Castillo added, while others await assessments pending the typhoon’s departure.
Typhoon Tino, the 20th tropical storm to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year, is projected to exit the country by Thursday, according to the state weather agency.
Authorities are also monitoring a potential new weather disturbance developing east of the Philippines.
Mr. Marcos urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation directives. — Edg Adrian A. Eva, Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Reuters
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