Typhoon Tino Makes Landfall in Visayas, Prompting High Alerts and Mass Evacuations

Typhoon Tino, known internationally as Kalmaegi, intensified and made landfall in the central Philippines on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, bringing what authorities warned were "life-threatening" conditions to large parts of the Visayas region.

The storm's initial landfall occurred around midnight in Silago, Southern Leyte, followed by a second touchdown at 5:10 a.m. in Borbon, Cebu, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). At the time of its second landfall, Tino packed maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts reaching up to 205 kph. Pagasa subsequently placed eight areas, including parts of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands, under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4, indicating the potential for destructive winds.

In response to the threat, pre-emptive evacuations were carried out for tens of thousands of citizens, particularly in low-lying and coastal areas of Southern Leyte and other vulnerable provinces. Pagasa warned of a high risk of damaging storm surges that could exceed three meters along coastal communities. The combined effects of Tino and a shear line were expected to unleash torrential rainfall across the Visayas island group and nearby areas, raising concerns for widespread flooding and landslides, especially in regions still recovering from recent disasters.

As the typhoon traversed the Visayas, authorities focused on immediate safety measures, including the cancellation of over 160 flights and the suspension of sea travel in several areas. While Pagasa noted that Tino might slightly weaken due to terrain interaction while crossing the islands, it was expected to maintain typhoon intensity throughout its passage over the country before emerging into the South China Sea by Wednesday. Regional disaster management protocols emphasized both immediate evacuation and the forward-looking goal of restoring essential services, such as clearing major transport arteries, within 48 hours post-passage.