Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 26 people in the Philippines, mostly due to severe flooding caused by the storm that swept across the central part of the country Tuesday, officials said. Floodwaters left many residents stranded on rooftops, while vehicles were submerged or swept away.

A Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter carrying five personnel crashed in southern Agusan del Sur province while on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid, the military said. Rescue efforts are underway, but further details about the condition of the crew and cause of the crash remain unclear.

Kalmaegi, the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, was last tracked over coastal waters near Jordan town in Guimaras province, with sustained winds of 130 kph (81 mph) and gusts up to 180 kph (112 mph). It was expected to move into the South China Sea by Tuesday night or early Wednesday.

Deputy civil defense administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said most fatalities occurred in Cebu and other central islands. Victims included villagers drowned by floodwaters in Southern Leyte and a person struck by a fallen tree in Bohol.

The Philippine Red Cross reported multiple residents trapped on rooftops in Cebu, with floating cars and debris complicating rescue operations. The province is still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in September that killed at least 79 people.

Authorities said over 387,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm. Ferries and fishing boats were barred from venturing out, stranding thousands, and at least 186 domestic flights were canceled.

The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, faces around 20 typhoons each year, along with frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes.

Source: AP