Devastation Strikes Philippines: Typhoon Kalmaegi Claims Over 60 Lives

Wed Nov 05 2025 11:04:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashes catastrophic flooding and destruction across the central Philippines, leaving at least 66 fatalities and displacing hundreds of thousands. Recovery efforts are hindered by debris and severe weather conditions.

The central Philippines faces severe tragedy as Typhoon Kalmaegi results in at least 66 confirmed deaths and displaces over 400,000 people. The hardest-hit area is Cebu, where the lethal combination of high winds and unprecedented flooding has created a humanitarian crisis. Recovery operations are underway but challenged by various obstacles, including debris-covered roads and continuous adverse weather.

At least 66 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes as Typhoon Kalmaegi – one of this year’s most powerful typhoons – wreaked havoc in the central Philippines, according to authorities.

The typhoon has combined severe winds and torrential rains to cause devastating flooding in many towns, particularly on the central island of Cebu, where 49 of the fatalities were recorded. Authorities reported an additional 26 individuals missing as rescue operations continue.

Videos circulated online showing residents perched on rooftops as floodwaters surged, with vehicles and shipping containers swept away by the deluge.

Among the fatalities is a tragic toll from a military helicopter crash on Mindanao island, where six crew members lost their lives while responding to the unfolding disaster.

The aircraft reportedly went missing on Tuesday during a rescue mission, leading to an immediate search and recovery operation by the Philippine Air Force that later confirmed the recovery of the six bodies.

Though Typhoon Kalmaegi has weakened since making landfall, it continues to deliver winds exceeding 80mph (130km/h) as it traverses the region.

“The challenge is the debris and cars on the road,” said Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence. Rescue teams are prepared, but have been delayed due to dangerous conditions.

The situation in Cebu is described as 'unprecedented' by provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro. “We were expecting the winds to be the dangerous part, but the water is what's truly putting our people at risk,” she noted, highlighting the widespread and destructive floodwaters.

In light of the disaster, a state of calamity has been declared in Cebu to expedite relief operations. Most casualties were caused by drowning, as the typhoon unleashed torrents of mud and water down hillsides into urban areas.

Local resident Don del Rosario, 28, expressed the severity of the event, stating, I've been here for 28 years, and this is by far the worst we've experienced. More than 400,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the disaster, according to the national disaster agency’s report.

The Philippines faces an average of 20 storms or typhoons annually, and this event follows closely on the heels of other recent major disasters, including another typhoon and a powerful earthquake that struck the region.

Kalmaegi is expected to move toward Vietnam, which is currently grappling with its own weather-related challenges, including record rainfall.