Negros Occidental Reels From Typhoon as ‘Tino’ Leaves 93 Dead

“Typhoon Tino’s relentless rains create a devastating pile of vehicles in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City.”

Negros Occidental Reels From Typhoon as ‘Tino’ Leaves 93 Dead

By Bing Jabadan and Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNationWeek.Com | November 6, 2025

SILAY CITY, Philippines – The devastation wrought by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) continues to unfold in Negros Occidental and across the central Philippines, with the death toll climbing to 93, including 42 infants under the age of two.

The storm, which slammed into the Visayan region on Nov. 4, 2025, unleashed torrential rains and ferocious winds, leaving communities submerged, infrastructure crippled, and thousands displaced.

Twenty-six individuals remain missing, fueling desperate search and rescue operations.

The scale of the disaster is immense, from the submerged streets of Talisay City, Cebu, where entire barangays were decimated, to the ravaged landscapes of Danao City, where the typhoon’s fury is evident.

Residents sought refuge on rooftops as flash floods engulfed their homes, leaving a trail of mud and debris in the storm’s wake.

“The viral videos coming out of Cebu and Negros Occidental are truly heartbreaking,” said a local government official.

“Most victims drowned, while others were tragically trapped under debris. We are doing everything we can to find those still missing and provide aid to those who have lost everything.”

Initial reports paint a grim picture: Liloan recorded 35 deaths, while Mandaue and Danao cities each reported nine.

The Cebu Emergency Operations Center (EOC) documented 15 deaths in Compostela and seven in Talisay.

The youngest victims, the 42 infants, underscore the vulnerability of the region’s most defenseless.

Rescue Efforts Hampered, Recovery a Long Road

As rescue teams navigate the floodwaters, the focus is shifting to clearing roads and restoring essential utilities.

While progress is being made – Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center reported 46.29% of power and 47% of water services restored – the road to recovery is long and arduous.

The Cebu provincial government has declared a state of calamity, triggering a price freeze on essential goods and expediting the release of disaster funds for relief and recovery efforts.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has vowed to prioritize the needs of the affected communities.

Beyond the Visayas: A Nation Grapples with Disaster

Typhoon Tino, the 20th severe weather event to batter the Philippines this year, forced the preemptive evacuation of over 259,000 individuals across multiple regions.

The heavy rainfall, exacerbated by the northeast monsoon and shear line, triggered widespread flash floods and landslides, affecting over 318,000 families and displacing 577,928 people now sheltering in evacuation centers.

The storm’s impact extends beyond human lives.

The disaster has disrupted vital infrastructure, crippling 27 road sections and five bridges.

Two airports and 151 seaports have been affected, stranding approximately 4,001 passengers.

Power outages have plunged 73 cities and municipalities into darkness, forcing the suspension of classes and work in numerous areas.

Police, Power Companies Mobilize

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered enhanced search-and-rescue operations and the swift distribution of relief supplies.

Over 9,000 police personnel and 300 mobile assets are now deployed, working alongside other government agencies.

The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that 1.4 million households, affecting around seven million individuals, are without electricity.

While restoration efforts are underway, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin emphasizes the need to clear hard-hit areas before power can be fully restored.

Tino Exits, But Threat Remains

As Tino moves away from the Philippines, PAGASA warns that significant impacts from typhoon-force winds are still expected in northern Palawan.

The surge of the northeast monsoon and shear line will continue to bring strong gusts to various regions.

Located 190 km west of Coron, Palawan, Tino is advancing west-northwest at 20 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts reaching up to 180 km/h.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday morning.

The nation now faces the daunting task of rebuilding, mourning the lost, and supporting the survivors as they navigate the long and challenging road to recovery.

The tragic loss of life, particularly the devastating number of infant fatalities, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities in the face of increasingly powerful storms.