Typhoon Kalmaegi kills at least 140 people in the Philippines, leaving 127 missing after catastrophic flooding as the storm heads towards Vietnam
Typhoon Kalmaegi, the world’s deadliest storm of 2025, has killed at least 140 people and left 127 missing after unleashing catastrophic floods across the central Philippines.
Also read: Vietnam floods 2025 death toll rises to 40
Floodwaters described as unprecedented tore through Cebu province, sweeping away cars, homes, and even massive shipping containers.
The national civil defence office confirmed 114 deaths, while local authorities in Cebu recorded another 28 fatalities, bringing the total to 140.
In the devastated town of Liloan, near Cebu City, rescue teams recovered dozens of bodies.
Residents spoke of terrifying moments as floodwaters rose swiftly inside their homes.
One survivor, Christine Aton, recounted how her disabled sister was trapped as their house filled with water.
“We tried to pry open her door with a crowbar, but it wouldn’t budge. My father told me we couldn’t do anything for her — all three of us might end up dead,” she said tearfully.
Another resident, Chyros Roa, credited his family dog with saving their lives. “The current was really strong. We tried to call for help, but rescuers were swept away,” he said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national calamity, enabling emergency funds for relief efforts and price controls on basic goods.
Meteorologists said the volume of rain dumped by Kalmaegi was 1.5 times the average rainfall for a full November, calling it a “once-in-20-years” event.
The densely populated, highly urbanised areas around Cebu City made the flooding particularly deadly, according to Benison Estareja of the state weather bureau.
Scenes of destruction stretched across Mandaue and Talisay, where streets turned into rivers within hours. Local shopkeeper Reynaldo Vergara said: “Around four or five in the morning, the water was so strong that you couldn’t even step outside. Nothing like this has ever happened.”
As the Philippines began counting its losses, Typhoon Kalmaegi intensified on Thursday while heading towards Vietnam, where fears mounted of further devastation following a week of deadly floods that already claimed 47 lives.
Vietnamese authorities have ordered thousands to evacuate coastal areas, warning of waves reaching eight metres high.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha described Kalmaegi as “urgent and dangerous,” urging local leaders to prepare for severe impacts.
Kalmaegi is the 13th storm to strike Vietnam this year and the 20th to hit the Philippines — both already above annual averages.
Scientists warn that climate change is fuelling stronger, wetter typhoons by warming oceans and intensifying rainfall.
Also read: Vietnam floods 2025 death toll rises to 40
Meanwhile, another system, Tropical Storm Fung-wong, is building strength east of Luzon and could reach super typhoon status before landfall on Monday, underscoring the unrelenting and perilous nature of the 2025 storm season.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
