Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the strongest storms to hit the Philippines this year, has claimed at least 46 lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, officials report. The typhoon, locally named Tino, has brought widespread flooding, particularly on the central island of Cebu, where most of the fatalities occurred. Authorities warn that the death toll is likely to rise, Aljazeera reports.

Kalmaegi struck shortly before midnight on November 3, sweeping across the Visayas and affecting areas of Luzon and Mindanao. Communities awoke to rising waters that forced residents onto rooftops as vehicles were swept along roads that turned into rivers. By November 4, the storm was moving westward over Cebu, Negros and Panay, generating sustained winds of around 150 km/h and gusts reaching 185 km/h. Trees were uprooted, electricity poles were toppled and vast areas were left without power.

The storm comes as the Philippines is still grappling with public anger over poorly managed flood control projects and alleged corruption, which critics say have left communities more vulnerable to disasters like Kalmaegi.

OCD Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said that most of the casualties were believed to have drowned, with Cebu recording the highest number of deaths at 21. Social media images and video clips revealed towns in Cebu province almost completely submerged. In Talisay City, only the tops of houses were visible. Other footage from Cebu City showed stranded residents calling for rescue as floodwaters rose rapidly. Landslides blocked roads in some areas, including Tabuelan in Cebu, further hampering access for emergency teams.

Fatalities were also reported in neighbouring provinces: a man in Bohol died after being struck by a falling tree, and an elderly resident of Leyte drowned inside his home. The national meteorological agency, PAGASA, said Kalmaegi and an interacting weather system brought intense rain and strong winds to the central archipelago. PAGASA warned of dangerous waves and storm surges, particularly along low-lying coastal zones, with water heights potentially exceeding three metres.

More than 160 flights were cancelled, and maritime authorities instructed vessels to remain in port. While crossing land, the system may weaken slightly due to terrain, yet forecasters expect it to maintain typhoon strength until it exits towards the South China Sea.

In a separate incident, Aljazeera also reports that a military helicopter on a mission to aid typhoon-hit areas crashed in northern Mindanao. The aircraft went down near Loreto in Agusan del Sur. Military officials confirmed that six crew members’ bodies were recovered, and an investigation is underway.

Kalmaegi is the twentieth tropical system to hit the Philippines this year. Climate scientists warn that increasingly intense storms are linked to human-driven climate change, putting the country at continual risk.