by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
MANILA/CEBU CITY (Worthy News) – Christians appealed for prayers Tuesday after Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, left at least one person dead and forced tens of thousands to flee as it swept through the central Philippines, officials and aid workers said.
“The typhoon made landfall today, and we are having difficulty with internet connections, and we don’t have electricity right now. Heavy rains and strong winds are still ongoing. Some areas, especially my workplace, are flooding,” said Christian aid worker Merry Joy Osman. She spoke to Worthy News from hard-hit Cebu, one of the most important islands and provinces in the central Philippines.
In places such as Cebu and Leyte, authorities raised a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, denoting a “very serious wind and rain hazard,” according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The alert also affected Osman, a mother of one working at a micro-credit organization in Cebu City that supports small entrepreneurs and low-income families. “Please pray for us here. As of the moment, we’re safe, but we wait for instructions if we need to relocate,” she said.
In Cebu City, streets and vehicles were already submerged, according to Osman and other witnesses, as well as verified footage obtained by Worthy News and videos circulating on social media.
A video shared by DZRH Radio on Facebook showed homes in Talisay City, just south of Cebu, almost entirely submerged, with only rooftops visible.
STORM SURGES
Authorities said torrential rains, strong winds, and storm surges forced more than 150,000 people to evacuate from their homes across the Visayas region and nearby provinces.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed at least one fatality but said the number could rise as damage assessments continue.
PAGASA reported that Kalmaegi made landfall early Tuesday with sustained winds of around 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour) and gusts up to 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour).
Flights and ferry services were suspended, and power outages were reported in several central provinces, including Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Leyte.
PAGASA said the typhoon was forecast to move westward across the Visayas and head toward the South China Sea by Wednesday while maintaining typhoon strength.
Officials added that Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone to affect the Philippines in 2025, underscoring the country’s continued vulnerability to severe weather events.
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