Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills Over 100 in Central Philippines, Rescue Efforts Ongoing

On November 5, 2025, Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into the central Philippines, causing widespread flooding and devastation. According to officials, the death toll has risen to at least 114, with 127 others reported missing, many in the hard-hit province of Cebu.

The central province of Cebu was pummeled by Kalmaegi, with flash floods and river overflows engulfing residential communities. Desperate residents were forced to climb onto their roofs, pleading to be rescued as the floodwaters rose. The Philippine Red Cross received numerous calls from people needing to be saved from their rooftops.

Tragically, the situation in Cebu was exacerbated by the province's ongoing recovery from a deadly earthquake that struck on September 30, leaving at least 79 people dead and thousands displaced. The combination of the recent earthquake and the devastating typhoon has left the region reeling.

Authorities are now focused on rescue and relief efforts, with the Cebu province declaring a state of calamity to allow for the rapid disbursement of emergency funds. The problems may have been worsened by years of quarrying and substandard flood control projects in the region, which have sparked public outrage and protests in recent months.

As Typhoon Kalmaegi moves away from the Philippines and toward Vietnam and Thailand, the central region continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic natural disaster.