Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves 52 Dead, 13 Missing in Central Philippines

On November 4, 2025, Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into the central Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful storm has claimed at least 52 lives, with 13 others still missing, primarily in the province of Cebu.

The typhoon triggered widespread flooding that trapped many residents on their roofs, as rising waters swept away scores of vehicles. Rescue efforts were hampered as floodwaters remained high, posing risks to emergency personnel. The Philippine Red Cross received numerous calls from people needing to be rescued from their rooftops.

Adding to the tragedy, a Philippine air force helicopter crashed on Tuesday while en route to provide humanitarian aid to areas affected by Kalmaegi. Six people were killed in the incident, the military reported, though the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Cebu, a province of over 2.4 million people, has declared a state of calamity to expedite the disbursement of emergency funds and resources. The region was still recovering from a devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck just over a month ago, leaving 79 people dead and thousands displaced.

As of early Wednesday, Typhoon Kalmaegi was moving away from the Philippines, heading towards the South China Sea. However, the damage and loss of life left in its wake will require a significant recovery effort in the days and weeks to come.