MANILA, PHILIPPINES — At least 91 people were confirmed dead and 75 others remained missing on Thursday, after Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as ‘Tino’, struck the archipelago seven times before exiting near El Nido, Palawan.
Streets Turn Into Rivers Across Luzon
In Luzon Island, floodwaters in several cities reached over two meters, submerging homes and vehicles along Quezon Avenue in Manila. Resident Maria Santos, 34, said on Wednesday, “WE COULD ONLY CLIMB TO THE ROOF WHEN THE WATER REACHED THE WINDOWS.” The Philippine Red Cross reported over 430,000 evacuees across eight provinces, with temporary shelters reaching capacity by Thursday evening.
Electricity outages hit at least 14 towns in Central Luzon, according to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who said repair crews restored 30 percent of the grid within 48 hours. The Civil Aviation Authority cancelled more than 120 domestic flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport between Tuesday and Thursday, disrupting emergency aid efforts.
Military Helicopter Crash Kills Six Crew Members
During an aerial damage assessment on Wednesday morning, an Air Force UH-1D helicopter crashed near Cabanatuan City, killing six personnel, according to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. “THE CREW WERE SURVEYING FLOODED AREAS WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN,” Teodoro confirmed, adding that rescue teams recovered all remains by Thursday noon. The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed 11 additional aircraft to continue reconnaissance.
Meteorologists Warn of New Super Typhoon Risk
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded gusts up to 140 kilometers per hour when Kalmaegi first made landfall on Sunday, followed by six more hits across northern islands. Chief meteorologist Ana Rosario warned that a new tropical depression east of Mindanao could intensify to a super typhoon with winds over 240 kph by Saturday. “IF THE SYSTEM FOLLOWS THE SAME TRACK, IT MAY STRIKE LUZON AGAIN WITH STRONGER WINDS,” Rosario said.
Relief Operations and Community Response
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno from the Office of Civil Defense confirmed that 45 rescue teams distributed 35 tons of food, water, and medical supplies to isolated communities by air and sea. Volunteer groups in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija organized 24-hour kitchens, serving over 5,000 evacuees on Wednesday night. “WE WILL KEEP COOKING UNTIL EVERY FAMILY HAS SOMETHING WARM TO EAT,” said community leader Liza de Guzman, 41.
Remembering Haiyan, Learning to Rebuild
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council referenced 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan, when 6,300 people died, as a benchmark for current preparations. Since 2014, the government has built more than 1,200 concrete evacuation centers nationwide, yet storms like Kalmaegi show continued vulnerabilities across coastal areas. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Tacloban City on Thursday, pledging ₱500 million (approximately US$8.6 million) for emergency reconstruction in the hardest-hit regions. “OUR PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH, AND WE WILL REBUILD STRONGER HOMES,” the president said in a televised address.
Key Updates
– 91 deaths confirmed, 75 missing, 430,000 displaced across 8 provinces
– 6 Air Force personnel killed in Cabanatuan crash
– 140 km/h winds recorded during landfalls
– 240 km/h system forming east of Mindanao, expected by Saturday
– ₱500 million pledged for relief operations
Meteorologists continue to track the approaching storm system and have advised residents in eastern coastal regions to prepare for evacuations within 48 hours if models confirm landfall.