Aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi: 114 Dead, Hundreds Missing as Cebu Reels

Manila, Philippines – November 6, 2025: Communities across the central Philippines are grappling with the human toll of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has so far claimed 114 lives and left 127 people listed as missing. The storm hit hardest in Cebu and surrounding provinces, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a national state of emergency to speed relief and unlock emergency funding.

The cyclone moved out of the archipelago on Wednesday and into the South China Sea after affecting nearly 2 million people. Officials report more than 560,000 villagers were displaced, with roughly 450,000 taking refuge in evacuation centres, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Flash floods were responsible for the majority of deaths as swollen rivers and clogged waterways overwhelmed low-lying communities. Many residents sought safety on rooftops as waters rose. Cebu province reported 71 fatalities, 65 people missing and 69 injured. Authorities also say 62 residents are missing in nearby Negros Occidental.

Rescue teams and local officials say the scale of the flooding was worsened by years of inadequate flood-control work and river blockages from quarrying activity. The island of Cebu was already struggling to recover from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30 that killed at least 79 people and displaced thousands.

Relief operations suffered a further blow when a Philippine Air Force helicopter delivering aid crashed in Agusan del Sur, killing six crew and passengers. Investigators are examining the cause of the crash.

Transport networks remain disrupted nationwide. Rough seas led to the cancellation of 186 domestic flights, and authorities barred ferries and fishing vessels from sailing, leaving more than 3,500 passengers and cargo drivers stranded at ports.

Meteorologists warned of a new weather system forming in the Pacific that could strengthen into a super typhoon and threaten the northern Philippines early next week, raising concerns about the country's capacity to cope with back-to-back disasters.

The Philippines routinely faces around 20 typhoons and storms a year and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, making disaster response a constant challenge. Government officials say the emergency declaration is intended to prevent further loss of life and hasten recovery for communities hit by Kalmaegi.