CaliToday (06/11/2025): Before it became the monster in the South China Sea (Biển Đông) now threatening Vietnam, Typhoon Kalmaegi had another name: "Tino." And for the central Philippines, that name will forever be associated with tragedy.
New reports emerging this morning paint a horrific picture of the devastation Kalmaegi unleashed as it cut across the archipelago. The province of Cebu, a major economic and tourism hub, has been brought to its knees, officially declaring a state of calamity.
The reason: a staggering and rising death toll that has now climbed to at least 111 people.
A Trail of Ruin
This catastrophic loss of life is a direct result of the typhoon's sheer power. Kalmaegi (Tino) did not just graze Cebu; it made a direct, brutal impact, unleashing the full force of a mature tropical cyclone on a densely populated island.
Emergency services and local media are reporting scenes of utter chaos:
Widespread, Catastrophic Flooding: The storm's torrential rains turned streets into raging rivers, submerging entire neighborhoods and sweeping away homes and vehicles.
Deadly Landslides: In the mountainous inland areas of the province, the saturated earth gave way, sending torrents of mud and debris crashing down onto communities, burying homes and cutting off vital escape routes.
Total Infrastructure Collapse: Power lines are down across the province, communication is severed in many areas, and major roads and bridges have been destroyed, severely hampering rescue and recovery efforts.
A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The "state of calamity" declaration allows the provincial government to access emergency funds and coordinate a massive humanitarian response. However, authorities are overwhelmed. Rescue workers are in a desperate race against time, digging through the wreckage for survivors, while evacuation centers are overflowing with families who have lost everything.
For the rest of the region, the tragedy in Cebu is not just heartbreaking news; it is a chilling and undeniable warning. The very same storm system that has just inflicted this level of death and destruction is the one that is currently gathering strength and marching directly toward Vietnam. The 111 confirmed dead in the Philippines are a testament to Kalmaegi's lethal potential.