Manila, November 5, 2025 — Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed the lives of at least 85 people and forced more than 400,000 residents to evacuate across the central Philippines, as torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc on communities still recovering from a recent earthquake.
The worst-hit region was Cebu province, where floodwaters swept through urban centers, destroying homes, vehicles, and infrastructure. Officials confirmed that 76 of the fatalities occurred in Cebu alone, with dozens more reported missing and injured in surrounding areas.
Among the casualties were six military personnel whose rescue helicopter crashed in Mindanao while en route to deliver humanitarian aid. The incident underscores the severity of the storm’s impact and the challenges faced by emergency responders.
Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, made landfall with sustained winds of up to 120 kph and gusts reaching 150 kph. It has since weakened and moved toward the South China Sea, but cleanup and recovery efforts remain underway in devastated towns and cities.
Local governments have declared states of calamity to expedite relief operations, while national agencies continue to coordinate shelter, food, and medical support for displaced families. The scale of destruction has prompted calls for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.
