Massive destruction in wake of typhoon
Central Philippines has been struck by devastating flooding and strong winds as Typhoon Kalmaegi (locally known as Tino) battered the region, leaving at least 46 people dead and dozens more missing. Rescue teams scrambled to reach victims after heavy rainfall submerged vehicles and trapped people on rooftops.
Flooding and casualties mount
Authorities reported that most casualties occurred in the provinces of Cebu and surrounding Visayas islands, where floodwaters surged rapidly and inundated homes. In one grim incident, six crew members aboard a Philippine military helicopter died when their aircraft crashed during a humanitarian relief mission.
In Cebu alone, at least 39 people lost their lives, many drowning or being struck by falling trees and collapsing structures.
Storm details and widespread impact
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall overnight, bringing sustained winds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) and gusts reaching 180 km/h (112 mph). Rainfall totals were extreme — one locality registered 183 mm (7 inches) in 24 hours, exceeding typical monthly averages. The storm disrupted transportation, cancelled hundreds of flights, and stranded thousands of passengers and cargo truck drivers across dozens of seaports.
Pre-existing vulnerabilities amplify damage
Many of the hardest hit areas were still recovering from a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake earlier this year that left homes weakened and infrastructure fragile. The Philippines’ geography — more than 7,000 islands, vulnerable low-lying terrain and limited road connectivity — continues to complicate rescue and relief efforts.
Emergency response and warnings
Local disaster agencies and the national civil-defence office have mobilised search-and-rescue teams, evacuations and emergency shelters, but authorities warn the full scope of damage may only become clear after floodwaters recede. The national weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued high-level warnings and storm signals, cautioning of life-threatening storm surge—potentially three metres high—in coastal and low-lying communities.
What to watch for next
- The number of missing persons is expected to rise as access is restored to isolated villages and remote barangays.
- Infrastructure damage assessment: roads, bridges and utilities may take days or weeks to repair.
- The risk of secondary disasters: landslides, river overflow and disease outbreaks in flooded communities.
- International aid flows and whether foreign-assisted relief teams will be deployed to assist the Philippines.
The bottom line
Typhoon Kalmaegi is one of the deadliest storms to hit the central Philippines this year, compounding an already tough season for the island nation. With at least 40 people killed and many more affected, the disaster underscores the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, robust early-warning systems and coordinated disaster response in one of the world’s most hazard-prone regions.
