MANILA: At least 40 people have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced after Typhoon Kalmaegi — one of the strongest storms to hit the Philippines this year — tore through the central part of the country, authorities said.

Large areas, including several towns on the heavily populated island of Cebu, have been submerged under floodwaters.

Most of the reported fatalities occurred there, and officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.

Videos circulating on social media show residents stranded on rooftops as raging floods swept away vehicles and shipping containers.

In a tragic turn during relief operations, a Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Mindanao island, killing all six crew members on board.

The aircraft was among four deployed to assist in rescue efforts.“Communication with the helicopter was lost, prompting an immediate search and rescue mission,” the PAF said in a statement.

Later, a spokeswoman confirmed that the bodies of all six crew members — including the pilot — had been recovered.

The typhoon, known locally as Tino, made landfall early Tuesday, bringing winds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) before weakening slightly.

Despite its reduced strength, Kalmaegi continues to cause widespread damage across the Visayas region.

Meteorologists forecast that the storm will move westward, crossing the central islands before exiting into the South China Sea by Wednesday.

Rescue teams are racing against time to reach isolated areas where communication remains cut off.