Typhoon Kalmaegi Makes Landfall in Vietnam After Deadly Philippines Outbreak
The typhoon has already killed at least 140 people and left another 127 missing in the Philippines, prompting evacuations in central Vietnam.
NHA TRANG, Vietnam: Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall Thursday in Vietnam’s storm-battered central belt, where thousands have been evacuated from areas in the path of one of the world’s deadliest cyclones this year.
The storm has already claimed at least 140 lives and left another 127 missing after unleashing devastating floods in the Philippines.
Crashing into central Vietnam late Thursday with sustained winds up to 149 kilometers (92 miles) per hour, the typhoon poses significant destruction potential.
In Gia Lai province, residents describe unprecedented wind strength, leaving little resistance against the storm’s impact.
The situation is exacerbated by ongoing flooding and record rains that have already claimed at least 47 lives and submerged historic sites.
Vietnam, one of the most active regions for tropical cyclones, is facing the 13th typhoon of 2025.
Scientific evidence indicates a pattern of human-driven climate change increasing extreme weather frequency and destructiveness.
The Philippines experienced similar devastation earlier this week when Kalmaegi slammed into central islands on Monday.
Cebu province faced unprecedented floodwaters that destroyed infrastructure, with 35 bodies recovered in Liloan town.
In response, President Ferdinand Marcos declared a national calamity, releasing aid funding and imposing price controls on essential supplies.
Ahead of the storm's arrival, Vietnam’s leaders cut short legislative sessions to address the impending disaster.
While some residents evacuate with basic necessities, others prepare to ride out the storm in concrete homes, fearing heavy rains that could lead to significant flooding.
Schools have closed in affected provinces and airports remain shuttered as authorities mobilize resources for response efforts.
The recent deluge has already inundated UNESCO-listed sites such as Hue and Hoi An, with record rainfall levels over 24 hours.
Vietnam’s vulnerability to flooding, due to its extensive coastline and river network, exacerbates the impact of such natural disasters.
This year alone, natural disasters have claimed 279 lives or left individuals missing, causing over $2 billion in damages according to Vietnamese statistics.
The storm has already claimed at least 140 lives and left another 127 missing after unleashing devastating floods in the Philippines.
Crashing into central Vietnam late Thursday with sustained winds up to 149 kilometers (92 miles) per hour, the typhoon poses significant destruction potential.
In Gia Lai province, residents describe unprecedented wind strength, leaving little resistance against the storm’s impact.
The situation is exacerbated by ongoing flooding and record rains that have already claimed at least 47 lives and submerged historic sites.
Vietnam, one of the most active regions for tropical cyclones, is facing the 13th typhoon of 2025.
Scientific evidence indicates a pattern of human-driven climate change increasing extreme weather frequency and destructiveness.
The Philippines experienced similar devastation earlier this week when Kalmaegi slammed into central islands on Monday.
Cebu province faced unprecedented floodwaters that destroyed infrastructure, with 35 bodies recovered in Liloan town.
In response, President Ferdinand Marcos declared a national calamity, releasing aid funding and imposing price controls on essential supplies.
Ahead of the storm's arrival, Vietnam’s leaders cut short legislative sessions to address the impending disaster.
While some residents evacuate with basic necessities, others prepare to ride out the storm in concrete homes, fearing heavy rains that could lead to significant flooding.
Schools have closed in affected provinces and airports remain shuttered as authorities mobilize resources for response efforts.
The recent deluge has already inundated UNESCO-listed sites such as Hue and Hoi An, with record rainfall levels over 24 hours.
Vietnam’s vulnerability to flooding, due to its extensive coastline and river network, exacerbates the impact of such natural disasters.
This year alone, natural disasters have claimed 279 lives or left individuals missing, causing over $2 billion in damages according to Vietnamese statistics.
