November 5, 2025
Typhoon Kalmaegi swept across the central Philippines, leaving at least sixty-plus people dead and dozens missing. The hardest-hit area was the province of Cebu, where flash floods trapped residents on their roofs and swept away vehicles.
Helicopter crash adds to toll
A military helicopter on a humanitarian mission in Agusan del Sur crashed during the storm, killing six people and compounding the emergency response.
Previous catastrophe worsens impact
Cebu declared a state of calamity to release emergency funds more rapidly. The province is still recovering from a magnitude-6.9 earthquake on September 30, which killed dozens and displaced many, and its weakened infrastructure worsened the typhoon’s impact.
Large-scale evacuations and disruptions
Hundreds of thousands of residents had been evacuated ahead of the storm. Inter-island ferries were suspended, flights cancelled and thousands stranded in seaports as rough seas and flooding disrupted transport networks.
What lies ahead
Rescue and relief operations are under way as damage assessments begin. Clearing debris, restoring access and sheltering displaced families are expected to take time in the worst affected zones.
