A powerful tropical cyclone, Typhoon Kalmaegi, has wreaked havoc across the central Philippines, claiming the lives of at least 114 people and leaving another 127 missing in its wake. Rescue and relief efforts are underway as the storm now heads toward Vietnam, where authorities are racing to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents. With floodwaters receding in the Philippines, the full scale of destruction is becoming clear. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s central provinces prepare for the next phase of the storm’s assault.
Widespread devastation in the Philippines
In the provinces of central Philippines, especially in Cebu, floodwaters have laid bare the brutality of Typhoon Kalmaegi’s passage. Homes were flattened, vehicles overturned, streets filled with mud and debris. Most of the fatalities resulted from flash floods; many victims were swept away before being found.
More than 200,000 people were evacuated, and over 560,000 were displaced from their homes. The government has declared a state of national calamity, enabling faster release of emergency funds and broadening the response.
Authorities say clearing debris is critical — not just for rescue and recovery, but to allow relief aid to reach the affected communities.
Storm intensifies and heads for Vietnam
After leaving the Philippine archipelago, Typhoon Kalmaegi took aim at Vietnam’s central coast, regaining strength as it travelled over the South China Sea. Meteorological agencies warn the cyclone could strike near the city of Quy Nhon, or nearby areas, with sustained winds and heavy rainfall.
In Vietnam’s provinces such as Gia Lai, authorities are preparing large-scale evacuations – up to 350,000 residents may be moved to safety before the worst of the storm arrives. Airports, including the one at Da Nang, are on standby, ready for disruption.
Challenges ahead for relief and recovery
The aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi presents daunting obstacles. In the Philippines, widespread damage means that restoration of power, water, and transport infrastructure will be slow. Rescue teams must navigate blocked roads, contaminated water-deluged zones, and precarious terrain.
As the storm moves toward Vietnam, officials face the threat of major agricultural losses — key farming and coffee-growing regions lie in its projected path — combined with the risk of destructive winds and flooding of coastal cities. Evacuations will need to be rapid and well-coordinated. The storm’s timing also poses added risk: high tides may coincide with heavy rain, raising the chances of urban flooding.
