Canlaon city: At least six people were confirmed dead while many are still missing during the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) in the mountain city of Canlaon in northern Negros Oriental.
According to Philippines News Agency, Seth Bariga, the information officer-designate of Canlaon City’s Emergency Operations Center, shared in an interview that the government is just beginning to understand the full extent of the devastation caused by the cyclone. Bariga reported that the city has been without electricity since Monday evening, with communications severely hampered due to the loss of internet and phone signals. He mentioned that he was communicating via a friend’s Starlink connection.
The typhoon caused significant damage to the city’s infrastructure, with access bridges, including those on the national highway, being damaged and effectively isolating Canlaon City from the outside world. The blocked bridges have resulted in water being rerouted to houses along the national highway, making access roads impassable.
The city is now cut off from Barangay Panubigan and Barangay Mabigo, as the only remaining footbridge has been deemed unsafe. The massive flooding left rocks, boulders, toppled trees, poles, and other debris in its wake, blocking entry and exit points to the city.
Ahead of Typhoon Tino’s arrival, hundreds of residents were evacuated to safety, as the typhoon hit the city around mid-morning Tuesday. Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has issued an urgent appeal for aid, highlighting the need for water, power, telecommunications, and food supplies.
Several areas remain inaccessible, including the Binalbagan Bridge and Inyawan Bridge along the national highway; a bridge near Mt. Citi; Sitio Alibaybay Bridge (detour area); Barangay Malaiba Bridge; and Barangay Bayog Bridge. Mayor Cardenas has communicated with Governor Manuel Sagarbarria and Rep. Emmanuel Iway of the 1st district, who have promised immediate assistance.
The province’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has deployed two teams to Canlaon City to assess the damage and assist with post-typhoon operations. Despite the heavy rains, Bariga noted that there have been no reports of lahar flow from the restive Mt. Kanlaon.
Canlaon City was placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 4 as Typhoon Tino moved across the Visayas, affecting the northern parts of Negros Island.
