Vietnam Battered: Kalmaegi's Fury Follows Deadly Philippine Trail

Typhoon Kalmaegi Tears Through Vietnam After Leaving Devastation in Philippines

Vietnam is bracing for widespread damage and flooding as Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into its coastline on Thursday, packing winds of up to 92 mph (149 km/h) and threatening to unleash waves as high as 26 feet on the South China Sea. The storm, already responsible for the deaths of at least 114 people in the Philippines, has prompted a massive mobilization of Vietnamese military resources, with over 260,000 soldiers and thousands of vehicles deployed for rescue and relief efforts.

Vietnam Battered: Kalmaegi's Fury Follows Deadly P...

The typhoon made landfall in the provinces of Dak Lak and Gia Lai, exacerbating already dire conditions brought on by recent record rains and floods. Six airports have been forced to close, disrupting hundreds of flights and potentially hampering the delivery of aid to affected areas. The Vietnamese national weather forecaster has warned that hundreds of localities across seven cities and provinces are at high risk of flooding and landslides within the next six hours.

Early reports indicate significant damage across

Early reports indicate significant damage across several provinces, including roofs torn off buildings, shattered windows in hotels, and uprooted trees blocking roads. In Quy Non, fallen trees have obstructed main thoroughfares and hotel windows have been smashed by the powerful gusts.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh convened an emergency online meeting to direct the response, emphasizing the need to reach isolated communities and ensure access to essential supplies like food and drinking water. Authorities have been going door-to-door in coastal areas, urging residents to evacuate to safer locations.

Before reaching Vietnam, Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, wreaked havoc in the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 114 people. Tens of thousands were evacuated, particularly from central areas like Cebu, where floodwaters swept cars through the streets. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in the Philippines, acknowledging the mass casualties, significant property damage, and widespread disruption to livelihoods.

The storm compounds the challenges already facing Vietnam, which has been grappling with severe flooding in recent weeks. Popular tourist destinations like the UNESCO-listed city of Hue and the historic town of Hoi An have been inundated, with residents resorting to wooden boats to navigate the flooded streets. The overflowing Hoai river has transformed these historical landmarks into scenes of watery chaos, adding to the urgent need for comprehensive disaster relief and long-term recovery planning. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected populations as Vietnam confronts one of the strongest typhoons to hit Asia this year.