Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, has devastated central Philippines, resulting in a death toll of 114 and leaving 127 people missing as of November 6, 2025. Cebu province, hardest hit by the storm, has experienced severe flash flooding, where over 706,000 individuals across 241 municipalities have been affected. The torrential rains, surpassing 7 inches in just 24 hours, have caused river overflows, landslides, and extensive property damage, with homes and vehicles submerged.
In addition to civilian casualties, six military personnel died when their helicopter crashed during a humanitarian operation in Agusan del Sur. The Office of Civil Defense reported injuries to 10 individuals and indicated that the destruction impacted more than 1.1 million people nationwide. The infrastructure damage is extensive, with flooding and landslides impairing access to remote areas and power outages affecting 52 municipalities, complicating the rescue and relief efforts. Authorities are focused on debris clearance and restoring essential services.
This calamity follows other recent disasters in the Philippines, including a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in northern Cebu and Super Typhoon Ragasa in September, undermining the nation’s disaster response capabilities and highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure and preparedness. As Typhoon Kalmaegi moves toward the South China Sea, it is expected to impact Vietnam’s central provinces, prompting authorities there to plan for the evacuation of approximately 350,000 people and potential disruptions to major airports, such as Da Nang International.
Amid the ongoing crisis, international support is being mobilized to assist the Philippines in recovery efforts and bolster resilience against future natural disasters.
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