Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday (November 6, 2025) after Typhoon Kalmaegi caused widespread destruction, leaving at least 241 people dead or missing in the country’s central provinces. It has become the deadliest natural disaster to strike the Philippines this year.
Over 200 Dead and Missing After Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi
The powerful typhoon claimed at least 114 lives, most of whom drowned in flash floods. Another 127 people were reported missing, many from the heavily affected Cebu province, before the cyclone exited the archipelago on Wednesday and moved into the South China Sea.
Kalmaegi affected nearly 2 million residents, displacing over 5,60,000 villagers. Of these, around 4,50,000 people were forced to take shelter in evacuation centers.
Marcos Issues Emergency Declaration After Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi
President Marcos announced the state of emergency during a meeting with disaster-response officials to assess the situation. The declaration enables the government to release emergency funds more quickly and take strict action to prevent food hoarding and overpricing in affected areas.
According to Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence, most casualties were recorded in Cebu province, which bore the brunt of the typhoon on Tuesday (November 4). The storm unleashed torrential rains that caused rivers and waterways to overflow, triggering deadly flash floods.
Military Helicopter Crash Kills Six Rescuers Due to Typhoon Kalmaegi
Tragedy deepened when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Agusan del Sur on Tuesday, killing all six crew members on board. The team was delivering humanitarian aid to areas hit by the typhoon. The military confirmed the crash but did not specify the cause.
Cebu Suffers Massive Flooding Due to Typhoon Kalmaegi
Cebu, the worst-hit province, witnessed devastating floods as rivers swelled and submerged residential communities. Many residents had to climb onto rooftops to escape rising waters and call for help.
Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross, said the organization received numerous rescue calls from people trapped on rooftops.
Officials confirmed that 49 people drowned, while others died due to landslides and falling debris. Thirteen people remained missing in Cebu, while 62 others were unaccounted for in the nearby provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
“We did everything we could for the typhoon but, you know, there are really some unexpected things like flash floods,” Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro told The Associated Press.
Volunteer rescuer Caloy Ramirez described the devastation in Cebu City: “We always expect the worst and what I saw yesterday was the worst.” He recalled how residents’ “faces lit up” when they realized rescuers had arrived.
Corruption and Poor Flood Control Under Scrutiny
Authorities believe the disaster was exacerbated by years of quarrying and ineffective flood control systems. Governor Baricuatro said clogged rivers and substandard infrastructure projects worsened the flooding.
In recent months, a corruption scandal involving fake or poorly built flood control projects has sparked nationwide outrage and protests. To speed up recovery, Cebu declared a state of calamity, which allows quicker use of emergency funds.
Cebu Still Recovering from Deadly Earthquake
Cebu was still reeling from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30, killing 79 people and leaving thousands homeless. Governor Baricuatro said residents displaced by the quake were moved to stronger evacuation shelters before Typhoon Kalmaegi hit. Fortunately, most northern towns, which were heavily damaged by the earthquake, escaped major flooding from the typhoon.
Evacuations and Travel Disruptions Before Storm Landfall
Before Kalmaegi made landfall, more than 387,000 people had evacuated to safer areas in eastern and central provinces. Authorities also suspended ferry operations and banned fishing boats due to rough seas, stranding over 3,500 passengers and cargo truck drivers at around 100 seaports.
Additionally, at least 186 domestic flights were cancelled, officials said.
Typhoon Kalmaegi Heads Toward Vietnam and Thailand
Kalmaegi had moved away from western Palawan province and was heading toward Vietnam till Wednesday noon, forecasters said.
Central Vietnam, which was already facing record rainfall and flash floods, was bracing for more heavy rain as Kalmaegi approached. According to state media, fishing boats were returning to shore while local authorities prepared evacuation plans, secured emergency shelters, and stockpiled food supplies.
Philippines: A Nation Prone to Natural Disasters
The Philippines experiences around 20 typhoons and storms annually. The country also lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. With over a dozen active volcanoes, it remains one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.
In summary, Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of devastation across the Philippines, testing the nation’s resilience once again. With hundreds dead or missing and millions affected, the government faces an uphill task in rebuilding lives as the storm continues its path toward Vietnam and Thailand.
