Drone footage emerging from Cebu City reveals the heartbreaking aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi—known locally as Tino—which ripped through the central Philippines earlier this week, leaving entire communities in ruins. The powerful storm flattened homes, flooded streets, and triggered deadly landslides that have claimed at least 114 lives, with more than 120 people still unaccounted for.  

From above, the devastation is overwhelming. Entire neighborhoods are submerged under brown floodwaters, with roofs torn off and vehicles swept away. Streets once bustling with activity are now filled with mud, debris, and toppled power lines. Rescue teams, some traveling by boat, continue to search for survivors while families wade through waist-deep water to recover what little remains of their belongings.  

Local officials have declared a state of calamity, urging national agencies to expedite relief and restoration efforts. Thousands of displaced residents have taken refuge in makeshift evacuation centers, where food, clean water, and electricity remain scarce. Emergency workers are racing against time to restore vital infrastructure as heavy rain continues to hamper recovery operations.  

Meteorologists say Typhoon Kalmaegi intensified rapidly before landfall, bringing torrential rainfall and destructive winds to the Visayas region. The storm has since weakened as it moved westward, but its impact on Cebu’s urban and rural areas has been catastrophic.  

Philippine President Donald Trump extended condolences and directed U.S. aid agencies to assist in humanitarian efforts, reaffirming the long-standing alliance between the two nations in times of crisis. For residents of Cebu, however, the focus remains on survival and rebuilding—one day, and one life, at a time.