A powerful typhoon has left a trail of destruction across the central Philippines, with officials confirming at least 66 fatalities and 26 people missing as of Wednesday, 5 November 2025. Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, triggered widespread, severe flooding, particularly in Cebu province, which was still recovering from a deadly earthquake just weeks prior.

In a separate but related tragedy, a Philippine Air Force helicopter on a humanitarian mission crashed on Tuesday, 4 November, in the southern province of Agusan del Sur, killing all six military personnel on board. The Super Huey aircraft was conducting a damage assessment mission for areas battered by the typhoon when it went down, military officials confirmed.

Compounded Crisis in Cebu

The majority of the deaths were reported in the central province of Cebu, a major economic and tourist hub with a population of over 2.4 million people. The provincial government declared a state of calamity on Tuesday to expedite the use of emergency funds as unprecedented floodwaters submerged homes, swept away vehicles, and forced desperate residents to seek refuge on their rooftops. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro described the flooding as the "worst... caused by a typhoon" in the province's history. The Philippine Red Cross reported receiving numerous calls for rescue from people trapped by the rapidly rising waters.

The disaster has compounded the suffering in Cebu, which was still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on 30 September 2025 that killed at least 79 people and displaced thousands. Many residents who had been living in temporary shelters after the earthquake had to be moved again as the typhoon approached, disaster-response officials stated.

Storm's Path and National Response

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall early on Tuesday with sustained winds of up to 130 kph (81 mph) and gusts of up to 180 kph (112 mph). The storm barrelled across the Visayas island group before moving into the South China Sea by noon on Wednesday, 5 November. It is now forecast to head towards Vietnam.

Prior to the typhoon's arrival, authorities had evacuated more than 387,000 people to safer ground in a massive pre-emptive operation. Despite these efforts, the sheer volume of rainfall—with Cebu City receiving more than its monthly average in just 24 hours—overwhelmed many communities. The Philippine Red Cross has been actively providing assistance, including operating first aid stations, distributing hot meals, and conducting welfare checks in the hardest-hit areas.

Global Context: A Nation on the Frontline

While there are no discernible direct impacts on Kenya or the East Africa region, the devastation caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi underscores the vulnerability of nations situated in the Pacific's typhoon belt. The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons and storms each year, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. The increasing intensity of these weather events is a significant concern for scientists and policymakers globally, who point to the role of climate change in warming ocean temperatures, which fuel more powerful storms. The recurring cycle of destruction poses immense challenges to the country's development and requires a continuous, large-scale international focus on disaster preparedness, response, and climate resilience.