Typhoon Kali (Kalmaegi) Devastates Philippines, National Calamity Declared Amid Rising Death Toll

Typhoon Kali, identified by international meteorological agencies as Typhoon Kalmaegi and locally known as Tino, has unleashed widespread devastation across the central Philippines, resulting in at least 140 fatalities and leaving 127 people missing, according to CNA. This catastrophic event, which made multiple landfalls around November 2-5, 2025, is now considered the deadliest natural disaster globally this year, as reported by the EM-DAT database.

In response to the escalating crisis, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national calamity on Thursday, November 6, 2025, following recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). This crucial measure aims to expedite the dispersal of emergency funds and implement price controls on basic commodities, as confirmed by The Statesman.

The typhoon has impacted nearly 2 million people, making it the largest natural disaster to hit the Philippines this year, according to Euronews. Widespread flash floods and landslides have submerged entire towns, particularly in the central provinces of Cebu and Negros Occidental, pbs reported. The scale of destruction has prompted urgent calls for both national and international assistance.

Cebu province bore the brunt of Kalmaegi's fury, experiencing "unprecedented" floodwaters that swept away vehicles and homes, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro told the Associated Press. Many communities in these areas were already vulnerable, still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in September, as noted by CARE Philippines.

The declaration of a state of national calamity will facilitate faster access to vital resources for relief and rehabilitation efforts across the affected regions. Government officials are now focusing on search and rescue operations, restoring essential services, and assessing the full extent of damage to infrastructure and agriculture, according to Bilyonaryo News Channel.

As the nation grapples with Kalmaegi's aftermath, disaster-response officials are preparing for another potential super typhoon, "Uwan," which is expected to affect Northern Luzon early next week, according to Yeni Safak English. This underscores the Philippines' constant vulnerability to severe weather events and the ongoing need for robust disaster preparedness.

• Philippines' Extreme Vulnerability to Typhoons: The Philippines is geographically situated along the Pacific Ocean's typhoon belt, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, experiencing an average of 20 typhoons annually, with about five being destructive, Wikipedia states. This consistent exposure to powerful storms necessitates continuous preparedness and resilience-building efforts to mitigate widespread damage and loss of life.

• Exacerbation by Climate Change: Scientific studies, including one by World Weather Attribution, indicate that climate change has "supercharged" the intensity and frequency of typhoons in the Philippines. The likelihood of at least three major typhoons hitting the country in a single year has increased by 25% due to global warming, according to greenpeace Philippines, highlighting a growing threat.

• Significant Economic Repercussions: Typhoons have a significant, albeit often short-lived, negative impact on local economic activity, as highlighted by research from the Asian Development Bank. A peer-reviewed study by Climate Analytics found that household incomes in the Philippines have dropped by an average of 7% due to climate-driven tropical cyclones, with some provinces experiencing over 20% reduction, severely impacting livelihoods.

• Government Response and Operational Challenges: President Marcos Jr. has emphasized the need for "semi-permanent" disaster response arrangements, acknowledging that severe typhoons are now the "reality of our times," inquirer.net reported. While the state of national calamity allows for faster fund disbursement and streamlined relief efforts, balancing resources for ongoing recovery and anticipating new threats, like Typhoon Uwan, remains a critical challenge for authorities, as noted by ReliefWeb.

• International Humanitarian Aid and Support: The United States, through USAID, has provided significant humanitarian assistance to the Philippines for typhoon response, including an additional Php196 million ($3.5 million) in 2024 for previous storms, the U.S. Embassy Manila reported. The UN Humanitarian Country Team has also sought US$32.9 million to support 210,000 vulnerable people affected by recent cyclones, according to the UN DCO, underscoring the need for global solidarity.

• Compounding Crises and Long-term Recovery Needs: Many areas affected by Typhoon Kalmaegi were already grappling with the aftermath of other emergencies, such as a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in September, CARE Philippines stated. This layering of disasters exacerbates vulnerabilities, displaces populations, and necessitates comprehensive long-term recovery efforts focused not only on rebuilding infrastructure but also on restoring livelihoods and strengthening community resilience against future shocks.

• Extensive Damage and Displacement Figures: Typhoon Kalmaegi made five landfalls across the Visayas region, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture, as detailed by Wikipedia. Over 500,000 residents were displaced, with many forced to evacuate to safer grounds, and power outages affected approximately 1.4 million households, according to Yeni Safak English and Wikipedia, highlighting the immediate and widespread impact.