Typhoon Tino (international code name Kalmaegi) maintains its strength as it passes through Central Philippines, bringing life-threatening conditions along its path on Tuesday, the weather bureau said.
The 20th severe weather disturbance to affect the Philippines, Tino, wrought havoc in the Visayas. A combination of typhoon-force winds, heavy rainfall it induced, and the prevailing Northeast Monsoon and Shear Line caused severe flooding.
In Cebu, Tino wrought havoc as streets turned into raging rivers. Motor vehicles were swept by raging floodwater on top of another, a scenario last seen after super typhoon Yolanda left a path of death and destruction in 2013.
The Office of the Civil Defense said it is verifying 3 reported deaths attributed to the typhoon.
Signal No. 4 up Visayas, Luzon’s Calamian and Cuyo Islands
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said as of 5 p.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 is hoisted over the Calamian and Cuyo Islands in Luzon, and the central and southern portions of Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Valderrama, Hamtic, San Jose, Bugasong, Anini-Y, San Remigio, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Laua-An), the central and southern portions of Iloilo (Calinog, New Lucena, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Dueñas, Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal, Iloilo City, Tigbauan, San Miguel, Leon, Mina, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Dingle, Zarraga, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Alimodian, Dumangas, San Joaquin, Badiangan, Pototan, Lambunao, Tubungan, Igbaras, Janiuay, Miagao), and Guimaras in the Visayas.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 3 was still up in the northernmost portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli) in Luzon; and the rest of Antique including Caluya Islands, Aklan, Capiz, the rest of Iloilo, the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Binalbagan, City of Himamaylan, San Carlos City, Calatrava, City of Escalante, Sagay City, Toboso, Salvador Benedicto, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Enrique B. Magalona, Valladolid, San Enrique, Bacolod City, La Castellana, Murcia, Silay City, Pulupandan, City of Victorias, City of Talisay, Pontevedra, Manapla), and the northern portion of Negros Oriental (City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Canlaon City, Vallehermoso) in the Visayas.
Significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 4.
Heavy rainfall outlook issued by the weather bureau indicated that many areas in the affected regions in Luzon and Visayas are prone to flooding and rain-induced landslides.
PNP response team on standby
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday placed police regional offices near the projected path of Typhoon ‘Tino’ on standby for immediate deployment to ensure that aid will be quickly provided to communities that might be affected by the severe weather event.
In a statement, Nartatez said this proactive measure aims to prevent loss of life and secure vulnerable areas ahead of the storm’s landfall.
‘I have directed police regional offices to be on standby in case there is a need for additional reinforcements in areas that will be severely hit and affected by Typhoon ‘Tino’, he added.
Nartatez also reminded police officers to help in the evacuation measures being enforced by local government units, especially for those residing in coastal areas.
‘I have also tasked our personnel to ensure that preemptive evacuation measures are enforced to ensure the safety of our kababayan,’ he added.
Nartatez also emphasized the need for cooperation in preemptive measures as he reminded officers of their crucial role in safeguarding the public.
He also appealed to the public to heed the advice of local officials and monitor weather updates from government agencies and trusted sources.
NDRRMC: 1 dead, 75K people preemptively evacuated
In its 12 p.m. Situational Report on the effect of Typhoon Tino, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday, that Tino has claimed its first fatality.
Because of the inclement weather, a total of 77,347 persons from MIMAROPA, Region 6, Region 7, Region 8, and CARAGA were preemptively evacuated. The violent winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal inundation have so far displaced 168,553 persons.
The NDRRMC said a total of 1,628 evacuation centers are currently attending to the needs of the evacuees.
So far, the inclement weather has affected a total of 57,867 families in 1,137 barangays in 116 cities and towns, mostly in the Visayas.
Coastal hazards
Furthermore the surge of the Northeast Monsoon, shear line, and the trough of Tino will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas not under Wind Signal, including Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
The same threats are to be experienced in Luzon, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Biliran, Leyte, and Zamboanga Peninsula on Wednesday, and the Ilocos Region, Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, most of Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA on Thursday.
Because of the inclement weather, the weather bureau said there is a high risk of life-threatening and damaging storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3 meters within the next 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal communities of Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Western Visayas, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental.
Tino was last seen in the vicinity of Patnongon, Antique, and is moving slowly at 15 km/h. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 180 km/h.PAGASA said heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone.
Tino is forecast to pass through the Sulu Sea and will traverse the northern Palawan area by tomorrow morning. It is expected to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow morning and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow evening or early morning of Thursday. According to PAGASA, Tino is forecast to steadily re-intensify over the next days and may reach its peak intensity while over the West Philippine Sea.