Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 188 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, according to the latest reports. The storm, now moving west towards Cambodia and Laos, battered central Vietnam with wind speeds up to 149 km/h (92 mph).
In the aftermath, towns along Vietnam’s central coast reported extensive destruction, with debris scattered everywhere. The typhoon uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and shattered windows, prompting thousands to seek shelter in schools and public buildings. The military has been deployed to aid in recovery efforts.
Vietnamese officials have issued flood alerts for low-lying areas as the region has experienced unprecedented rainfall, with earlier storms already claiming 50 lives. Meanwhile, the death toll from Kalmaegi in the Philippines shows a dramatic rise from 114 to 188, with 135 individuals still missing. In response, a state of calamity has been declared nationwide in the country as preparations commence for another typhoon brewing in the Pacific.
In Vietnam, over 260,000 military personnel and thousands of vehicles and aircraft have been mobilized for relief and recovery. Multiple airports and highways remain closed, and hundreds of thousands have been evacuated. As conditions remain perilous, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for immediate assistance to affected communities, emphasizing the need to provide essential supplies.
Before crossing into Vietnam, Kalmaegi wreaked havoc in the Philippines, notably on the island of Cebu, where entire neighborhoods were washed away and many homes lost entirely. Surviving residents described scenes of devastation, illustrating the catastrophic impact of the typhoon.
Authorities continue to work tirelessly to address the severe damage and restore normalcy in the affected regions amidst fears of further weather-related disasters.
