Cebu, which has been trying to recover from a fatal earthquake in recent months, emerged as the hardest-hit province during onslaught of Typhoon Tino, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said based on its initial assessment after the official death toll rose to 66 on Wednesday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the figures are still subject to further validation. The number of casualties include the victims of an ill-fated military chopper that crashed in Agusan del Sur while conducting a post-typhoon damage assessment.
According to the NDRRMC, 49 of the reported fatalities were from Cebu. The causes of deaths ranged from fallen debris and landslides to flooding, while some incidents remain under investigation.
One fatality each was also recorded in Bohol, Capiz, and Leyte, all attributed to falling trees. Another death in Leyte was reported due to flooding.
“In the NIR (Negros Island Region), one person died from fallen debris and another from fallen debris, while the cause of five others are still other being determined,” the NDRRMC added.
Six of the deaths in Agusan del Sur were from the Philippine Air Force “Super Huey” helicopter that crashed there on Tuesday afternoon.
“Their dedication to duty and sacrifice will always be remembered, especially as these were made in the service of our fellow Filipinos facing the effects of Typhoon Tino,” Department of National Defense said.
The NDRRMC also reported that 13 persons are still missing in Cebu along with another 13 in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, with causes still to be determined as of this time.
Earlier, the agency said ‘Tino’ affected 706,549 individuals, or 203,595 families, across Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Caraga.
Of these, 348,554 people (101,981 families) were sheltering in evacuation centers, while 27,698 individuals (88,357 families) sought refuge elsewhere.
Flooding and landslides were reported in several areas. Sixteen houses were damaged—10 partially and six totally—while 15 of the 21 affected road sections remained impassable. All five damaged bridges have since been cleared for passage.
The NDRRMC reported that 154 seaports temporarily halted operations, resulting in the stranding of 3,996 passengers, 1,347 rolling cargoes, 117 vessels, and four motor bancas.
Power supply has yet to be restored in 50 of 61 affected areas, while communication services have been restored in seven areas.
Classes were suspended in 593 areas, and work in 406 localities was called off due to the storm’s impact.
A state of calamity has been declared across Cebu province.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “Death toll from Typhoon ‘Tino’ now at 52 — NDRRMC.”
