A tragic incident unfolded just before midday, approximately 270 kilometers from Cebu Island, the area most severely impacted. Local officials reported that 39 individuals either drowned or were killed by falling debris. Additionally, one person was confirmed dead on the neighboring island of Bohol.

Images and footage released by the Philippine Red Cross depict rescue teams navigating through knee-deep floodwaters in Cebu City. Using boats, they worked tirelessly to reach residents stranded by the deluge. These visuals capture the urgency and dedication of the rescue efforts underway.

The storm, known locally as Tino but internationally as Kalmaegi, has been weakening since it made landfall early Tuesday. Despite its reduced intensity, it still battered the region with winds reaching 120 km/h and gusts up to 165 km/h as it passed over the Visayas islands, heading toward northern Palawan and the South China Sea.

By late Tuesday, floodwaters in Cebu City had begun to recede. However, many areas remained without electricity, and telecommunications were sporadic, according to a journalist from Reuters.

The typhoon was projected to exit the Philippines by late Wednesday or early Thursday, bringing some relief to the beleaguered region.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had previously issued warnings about the high likelihood of “life-threatening and damaging storm surges.” These surges could potentially rise over three meters, posing a significant risk to coastal and low-lying areas in the central Philippines.

The typhoon was expected to leave the Philippines late on Wednesday or early Thursday.

State weather agency PAGASA had earlier warned of a high risk of “life-threatening and damaging storm surges” that could reach more than 3 metres high on coastal and low-lying communities in the central Philippines.

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