Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Tino, hammered the Philippines on November 4, 2025, causing severe flooding that submerged homes up to their roofs, swept away cars, and displaced nearly 60,000 people. The Office of Civil Defence reported at least 40 deaths mainly in the Central Visayas region, with victims drowned, struck by falling trees, or electrocuted.
Strong winds and heavy rains hit provinces including Cebu, Negros, and Palawan, causing widespread power outages like on Siargao Island. Floodwaters blocked roads, forcing residents to take refuge on rooftops while rescue operations are underway. The Philippine Air Force suffered a tragic loss when a military helicopter crashed during relief missions in Mindanao, killing all six on board.
Kalmaegi, the 20th typhoon of the year for the archipelago, brought winds up to 130 km/h with gusts reaching 180 km/h and is expected to intensify as it moves over the South China Sea. The storm has forced cancellation of over 100 flights, complicating the response.
The disaster highlights the Philippines’ vulnerability to destructive typhoons and the urgent need for continued disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
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