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TYPHOON KALMAEGI, commonly referred to as Tino, resulted in at least 66 fatalities, 26 individuals unaccounted for, and over a million people impacted after its assault caused extensive flooding and significant devastation across the Visayas, particularly in Cebu, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Diego A. Mariano, deputy spokesperson for the OCD, verified that 49 of the confirmed fatalities occurred in Cebu, primarily due to fallen debris, landslides, and flooding, with several incidents still under investigation.
The casualty count also comprised six military members who tragically lost their lives on Tuesday in a helicopter accident in Agusan del Sur while en route to Butuan City for a humanitarian endeavor.
The provinces of Bohol, Capiz, and Leyte each recorded one fatality, all attributed to fallen trees.
The Negros Island Region noted seven fatalities: two were attributed to fallen debris and drowning, while the causes of the other five remain under investigation.
Mr. Mariano additionally mentioned that a total of 26 people are missing, with 13 in Cebu and another 13 in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
Moreover, there were ten reported injuries caused by fallen debris and floodwaters, while the causes of the remaining injuries are yet to be identified.
The typhoon was last recorded to be 330 kilometers east northeast of Pag-asa Island in the Kalayaan Islands, where a Wind Signal No. 2 is currently in effect, according to the state meteorological bureau’s 5 p.m. bulletin.
It was generating sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph), gusts of up to 170 kph, and was advancing west northwestward at 30 kph.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also placed Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, and the rest of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, under Wind Signal No. 1.
“According to the projected path, Tino will persist in moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight or tomorrow (Nov. 6) early morning,” PAGASA stated.
“Tino is expected to re-strengthen over the next 12 hours and may achieve its maximum intensity while traversing the West Philippine Sea.”
Typhoon Kalmaegi impacted more than 1.1 million people, or over 318,000 families, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in its 12 p.m. situational update.
The majority of the affected families were from Western Visayas (489,000), Caraga Region (320,573), Eastern Visayas (171,20), and Central Visayas (104,619).
Approximately 1.4 million households, primarily in sections of the Visayas, also experienced power outages according to governmental assessments.
In a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella reported that a total of 1.4 million consumer connections were impacted due to damaged facilities caused by the typhoon.
“There’s a tendency for disasters to compound. We are still recovering from previous typhoons and the earthquake, and now we face Typhoon Tino, with another one approaching this Sunday,” Mr. Fuentebella remarked.
“However, this should not deter our agencies and our members from the energy sector from being prepared and establishing strategies for swift restoration,” he added.
Eric Campoto, officer-in-charge of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department at the National Electrification Administration (NEA), indicated that there are still 1.3 million consumer connections awaiting restoration in areas served by electric cooperatives.
NEA’s situational report as of 10 a.m. revealed that 27 electric cooperatives (ECs) faced partial power outages, while three experienced total power disruptions.
“Regarding the restoration of affected ECs, we are striving to restore all affected ECs by the end of the week,” Mr. Campoto stated.
Meanwhile, state-owned National Power Corp. reported that around 110,000 households were impacted after 57 small power utility group (SPUG) plants were compromised.
Mr. Fuentebella has estimated that the affected households equate to approximately seven million power consumers.
“I understand it affects about seven million individuals, but this is indeed a considerable challenge. Still, we want to assure you we are diligently working. Even late at night, our teams are on duty to restore power,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin stated.
On Tuesday, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) mandated the temporary suspension of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market operations in the Visayas grid, the electricity trading platform, due to “overgeneration.”
The suspension commenced on Nov. 4 at 8 a.m. and will remain in effect until ERC approval is granted.
During the market suspension period, the standard fixed price will be applied to all electricity transactions, or the price cap, if relevant.
“During the suspension, the ERC stated that the administrative price, or the price enforced by the market operator to trading participants during market suspension or intervention, will be applicable.”
In the meantime, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is scheduled to visit the southern province of Cebu subsequent to the devastating flash floods prompted by Typhoon Kalmaegi, as noted by Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro.
She did not specify when the President will arrive in the province.
She noted that initial findings from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) indicate that 343 flood control initiatives were finalized in Cebu between 2016 and 2022, with two being terminated.
An additional 168 projects were enacted between 2023 and 2025, including 55 currently ongoing.
The province is facing severe repercussions from Kalmaegi, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Sunday.
The Philippines, a nation situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, endures approximately 20 typhoons each year. — Edg Adrian A. Eva, Sheldeen Joy Talavera and Chloe Mari A. Hufana
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