MANILA, Philippines – November 4, 2025 – At least one person was reported dead and thousands were displaced as Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name: Tino) swept across the central Philippines on Tuesday, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding.
The typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 185 kph, made landfall over the Visayas region, inundating communities in Southern Leyte, Negros Oriental, and nearby provinces. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of life-threatening conditions as the storm triggered landslides and power outages in several areas.
Kalmaegi: 1 Dead Due to Drowning
Local officials confirmed the first fatality in Southern Leyte, where an elderly villager drowned in floodwaters as rivers swelled beyond capacity. Search and rescue teams were deployed to other affected municipalities after reports of missing residents and stranded families in low-lying coastal zones.
More than 30,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas ahead of Kalmaegi’s landfall, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Evacuation centers were set up in schools and gymnasiums, while local governments provided emergency food packs and blankets to displaced families.
Storm surges reaching up to three meters were recorded in coastal communities, while heavy rainfall caused flash floods that submerged portions of highways and residential areas. Power interruptions were reported in parts of Eastern and Central Visayas as strong winds toppled trees and utility poles.
The 20th Tropical Cyclone
Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year. Meteorologists said the storm is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday as it moves toward the West Philippine Sea, but residents are advised to remain alert due to possible secondary flooding in already saturated areas.
The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually. Experts warn that climate change is likely to intensify future storms, making evacuation planning and early response systems even more crucial.
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