Authorities ordered more than 70,000 people to evacuate as Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name: Tino) approached eastern Philippines with sustained winds near 120 kph and gusts up to 150 kph. The storm, tracked about 235 km east of Guiuan, could bring storm surges up to 3 meters and heavy rainfall before moving west toward central provinces, including quake-hit Cebu. Troops, police and disaster teams are assisting mandatory evacuations while the coast guard and response agencies remain on alert.
Over 70,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Typhoon Kalmaegi (Tino) Heads for Eastern Philippines
Authorities ordered more than 70,000 people to evacuate as Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name: Tino) approached eastern Philippines with sustained winds near 120 kph and gusts up to 150 kph. The storm, tracked about 235 km east of Guiuan, could bring storm surges up to 3 meters and heavy rainfall before moving west toward central provinces, including quake-hit Cebu. Troops, police and disaster teams are assisting mandatory evacuations while the coast guard and response agencies remain on alert.
14:44, 03.11.2025Environment
Typhoon Kalmaegi Threatens Eastern Philippines; Tens of Thousands Evacuated
Philippine authorities ordered more than 70,000 residents to move to safer ground and barred fishermen from going to sea as Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name: Tino) approached from the Pacific, officials said Monday. Warnings were issued for torrential rain and potentially deadly storm surges of up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet).
Kalmaegi was last tracked about 235 kilometers (146 miles) east of Guiuan town in Eastern Samar province, with sustained winds near 120 kph (74 mph) and gusts up to 150 kph (93 mph). Forecasters predicted the storm would make landfall later Monday and move westward overnight into Tuesday, threatening central island provinces including Cebu.
Eastern Samar Governor RV Evardone issued mandatory evacuation orders in coastal towns and mobilized army troops, police, firefighters and disaster-mitigation teams to assist residents. More than 70,000 people in Guiuan, Mercedes and Salcedo were directed to evacuation centers or to concrete buildings certified as sturdy enough to withstand the storm.
Officials emphasized the risk to low-lying coastal communities from storm surge and heavy rainfall that could trigger flash floods and landslides. Disaster-response agencies, including the coast guard, were placed on heightened alert, and local authorities prohibited fishing in the affected east-central region as a precaution.
"Nobody’s complaining among the residents because of their experience with Yolanda. They know it’s better to be safe than sorry,"
— Eastern Samar Gov. RV Evardone, referring to Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which devastated the same area in November 2013.
Officials recalled the catastrophic damage from Super Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones on record, which struck Guiuan in 2013 and left thousands dead or missing, leveled villages and displaced millions. The Philippines typically faces about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year and remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
What residents should do: Follow mandatory evacuation orders, move to designated shelters or sturdy concrete buildings, avoid coastal and riverine areas, and stay tuned to official warnings from local authorities and the coast guard.