Typhoon Kalmaegi Unleashes Devastation Across Philippines, Death Toll Surpasses 90 Amid Catastrophic Flooding

Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally known as Tino, has wreaked widespread devastation across the central Philippines, with the death toll now exceeding 90 as of Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The powerful storm brought extensive flooding and destructive winds, particularly impacting the province of Cebu, according to reports from CNA.

The typhoon, which made multiple landfalls, maintained its formidable intensity, submerging entire communities and sweeping away vehicles. Cebu province alone accounts for 76 fatalities, with officials describing the floodwaters as unprecedented, CNA reported.

Beyond the immediate casualties, the typhoon has left a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing significant infrastructure damage. The Office of Civil Defense reported nearly 340,000 individuals affected across various regions of the Philippines.

Tragically, the storm's impact also included a military helicopter crash in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, which claimed the lives of six crew members on a humanitarian mission. The military confirmed the incident, as detailed by The Guardian on November 5.

As Kalmaegi moved westward, neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam issued high alerts, bracing for potential impacts. The Thai Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfall and possible flash floods in Thailand from November 7-9.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had issued severe warnings, including a high risk of "life-threatening and damaging storm surges." These warnings prompted extensive evacuations ahead of the typhoon's arrival, according to reliefweb.

In response to the widespread calamity, a state of calamity has been declared in Cebu, allowing for faster disbursement of emergency funds. This measure aims to accelerate recovery efforts in the hard-hit province, The Hindu reported on November 5.

• Typhoon Kalmaegi's Genesis and Path: Typhoon Kalmaegi, known as Tino in the Philippines, originated from an area of convection on October 30, rapidly intensifying into a typhoon by November 3. It is the 25th named storm and 12th typhoon of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, making it the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, as noted by Wikipedia.

• Unprecedented Flooding in Cebu: Cebu province bore the brunt of Kalmaegi's fury, experiencing what Governor Pam Baricuatro called the "worst flash flood caused by a typhoon" in the province's history. Half of Cebu City was submerged, with floodwaters reaching chest levels in Mandaue, forcing residents to evacuation centers, according to CNA.

• Humanitarian Response and Evacuations: Ahead of the typhoon's landfall, over 387,000 people were pre-emptively evacuated to safer ground in eastern and central Philippine provinces. The Philippine Red Cross received numerous calls for rooftop rescues, highlighting the immediate need for assistance, The Hindu reported on November 5.

• Regional Preparedness and Forecast: While the Philippines grapples with the aftermath, Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed all provincial governors to monitor Kalmaegi closely, expecting heavy rainfall from November 7-9. Vietnam is also bracing for landfall around November 6-7, as reported by the Thai Meteorological Department and Reuters.

• Economic and Travel Disruptions: The typhoon caused significant disruptions, leading to the cancellation of over 300 flights and the suspension of sea travel, stranding thousands of passengers. These measures were crucial for safety but added to the economic strain on affected regions, The Straits Times reported on November 4.

• Meteorological Intensity and Warnings: PAGASA confirmed Kalmaegi made initial landfall over Silago, Southern Leyte, with sustained winds of up to 150 km/h and gusts of 185 km/h. The agency issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 in numerous areas, warning of severe winds and storm surges exceeding 3 meters, as detailed by Gulf News.

• Vulnerability and Climate Change Context: The Philippines, hit by an average of 20 tropical storms annually, is particularly vulnerable to such events. Scientists warn that warmer oceans and increased atmospheric moisture, linked to human-driven climate change, contribute to more powerful storms like Kalmaegi, according to CNA.

• Compounding Disasters: The impact of Kalmaegi is particularly severe as Cebu was still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30, which killed at least 79 people. This successive natural disaster exacerbates the challenges for recovery and rehabilitation efforts, The Hindu noted on November 5.