Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates the Philippines and Vietnam, Leaving Dozens Dead and Widespread Destruction
Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused widespread devastation across the Philippines and Vietnam, leaving over 188 people dead and dozens injured in the Philippines, while at least one death has been reported in Vietnam.
According to Reuters, the typhoon made landfall on Thursday night along Vietnam’s central coastal regions, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain that uprooted trees, damaged homes, and disrupted power supplies. Authorities warned that heavy rainfall of up to 200 millimeters could continue in areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.
Although the storm weakened as it moved inland, local officials issued alerts for further rainfall and possible landslides. The Vietnam News Agency reported one fatality in Dak Lak province, where a man was killed after being trapped under a collapsed house.
In the Philippines, officials confirmed that 135 people remain missing and 96 are injured, while rescue and recovery operations continue in the hardest-hit areas. The Philippine Civil Aviation Authority placed all airports and air zones on high alert amid forecasts of another storm expected to affect the country later this week.
Meteorologists noted that Kalmaegi is the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year. Due to their geographic location along the Pacific Typhoon Belt, both Vietnam and the Philippines regularly face severe storms and extreme weather events, resulting in frequent loss of life and property damage.
