By Ma. Cecilia G. Madelo. Correspondent

CEBU CITY — Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) battered Cebu province and the Visayas triggering massive floods that left over 111 dead and the number is rising, more than 188 of which in Cebu alone, and scores missing and injured, houses and infrastructures destroyed, power and communications grounded as it exited on November 5 towards West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.

As Tino exited, the country braced for another super typhoon.

Cebu officials led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro said it was the worst flooding in recent memory as floodwaters reached the provincial capitol, prompting them to declare the province, Cebu City and other areas under the state of calamity as they called for support from the national government amidst the devastation.

Floodwaters also swept away cars, riverside shanties and even massive shipping containers.

Of the 188 at press time, 135 were from Cebu province, 24 from Negros Occidental, nine from Negros Oriental, six from Agusan Del Sur, three from Capiz, two from southern Leyte, and one each from Leyte, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras and Bohol.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lamented the number of fatalities following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino that ravaged parts of Visayas, mainly Cebu and Negros as he visited to the hardest-hit areas in Cebu following the situational briefing there with Cabinet secretaries and local government officials where the President placed the entire country under state of calamity.

“But we are very, very sorry. Hindi ko… Siyempre lahat kami nalulungkot dahil napakataas ng ating casualty figures. At ito karamihan talaga ay dinala, dinala ng tubig. Dahil sa laki ng tubig, dahil sa bilis ng parating na flash flood,” Marcos Jr.

Cebu spokesman Rhon Ramos said that 35 bodies had been recovered from flooded areas of Liloan town, bringing the death in entire Cebu alone to 111.

Cebu province was the hardest hit, officials said, with flooding concentrated in central, highly urbanized areas including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City.

Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco said 35 of his constituents died in the flood. Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano said there are now 12 who died, as three more cadavers were extracted on Nov. 5.

Over in Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival said that there are now 12 dead in the city as he called for help for flood-hit residents.

“Cebu City needs your strength, your time, and your heart,” Archival said in a social media post.

He said the city needs heavy equipment, volunteer drivers, and clearing operations volunteers as many roads were impassable due to debris.

The Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office logged 15 deaths from Compostela, one from Consolacion, nine from Danao City, seven from Talisay City, one from Bantayan, one from Tabogon, two from Asturias and six from Balamban.

In Negros Island, at least 12 people were dead and 12 more were missing after Tino’s driving rain loosened volcanic mudflow which then buried homes in Canlaon City, said Police Lt. Stephen Polinar said.

“May natabunan po. May nahulugan po ng hard objects. At marami po ang nalunod,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director Joel Erestain said in a report.

“Most of them drowned or were hit by debris,” said Ainjeliz Dela Torre-Orong, Cebu Provincial Information Officer.

The typhoon has affected some 706,000 people in Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Negros Island, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and Caraga , of whom around 348,000 took shelter in evacuation centers, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). 

At least 53 cities and towns have declared a state of calamity that would allow local governments to tap emergency funds and impose a price freeze on basic necessities. 

The weather bureau PAGASA said typhoon Tino dumped more than a month’s rain in just 24 hours in Leyte, Cebu and other areas.

Scientists warn that storms are becoming more powerful due to human-driven climate change. Warmer oceans allow typhoons to strengthen rapidly, and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, meaning heavier rainfall.

On November 4, a Philippine Air Force helicopter on a mission to assist relief efforts, crashed on northern Mindanao, killing its pilot and five passengers.

A total of 154 seaports became non-operational, leaving 3,996 passengers, 1,347 rolling cargoes, 117 vessels, and four motorbancas stranded.

Power interruptions were still experienced in 50 of the 61 affected areas. Communication line issues have been restored in seven affected areas.

Classes in 593 areas and work schedules in 406 areas were suspended due to the typhoon.

Hundreds still living in tent cities after a 6.9-magnitude quake rocked the island in late September were “forcibly evacuated for their own safety,” Cebu information officer Rhon Ramos said.