Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Vietnam and Philippines with Deadly Floods
Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of devastation across Southeast Asia, hitting Vietnam just days after wreaking havoc in the Philippines. In Vietnam, at least nine people have been confirmed dead, while three fishermen went missing when their boat was swept away by the storm's powerful waves off Ly Son island in Quang Ngai province. The search for them had to be suspended due to worsening weather conditions, leaving families anxiously awaiting news. Authorities reported that more than 537,000 people were evacuated, many by boat, as floodwaters rose and landslides threatened low-lying areas.
The central provinces of Vietnam, already struggling from record-breaking rainfall in the past week, were battered by winds of up to 183 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 220 kilometers per hour over the South China Sea. Coastal cities like Danang faced waves as high as three meters, while powerful gusts uprooted trees and left thousands of homes without electricity. In cities such as Quy Nhon, emergency crews worked to reinforce glass walls and protect buildings from the destructive winds. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s financial hub, was warned of severe flooding as high tides and heavy rainfall could inundate low-lying areas along the Saigon River.
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Vietnam’s military had mobilized more than 260,000 personnel, along with thousands of vehicles and aircraft, to assist with evacuations and relief efforts. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the urgency of reaching isolated communities and ensuring that no one was left without food, water, or basic supplies. Despite these efforts, the storm has left central Vietnam grappling with significant property damage and disrupted lives.
Before Kalmaegi struck Vietnam, it had already caused catastrophic damage in the Philippines. At least 188 people were killed, and another 135 went missing, with Cebu among the hardest-hit areas. Torrential rain, equivalent to a month-and-a-half of precipitation in just 24 hours, triggered flash floods and landslides that engulfed homes, swept away vehicles, and destroyed entire neighborhoods. Many residents were forced to climb onto their rooftops for safety, awaiting rescue. Among the victims were families like that of Krizza Espra, who lost her husband and three children when the roof of their home collapsed, while other relatives remain missing. The Philippine government declared a state of emergency, allowing emergency funds to be released more quickly and measures taken to prevent food shortages and price hikes.
Kalmaegi’s destruction underscores the increasing severity of typhoons in the region, a pattern scientists warn is being intensified by climate change. As Southeast Asia faces stronger storms and heavier rainfall, both Vietnam and the Philippines are now bracing for the next cyclones, even as they begin the painstaking process of recovery from this unprecedented disaster.
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