Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 114 people in the Philippines and caused widespread flooding before making landfall in Vietnam, where six airports have been shut down and hundreds of flights disrupted.
Vietnamese authorities reported wind speeds of up to 149 km/h (92 mph) in coastal regions, with over 260,000 soldiers placed on standby for rescue and relief operations. The Ministry of Environment confirmed the storm had reached the provinces of Dak Lak and Gia Lai, warning of flooding and landslides across seven provinces.
In Dak Lak and Quy Non, homes collapsed, trees were uprooted, and power lines were cut as winds reached peak intensity. Residents called for emergency assistance within minutes of landfall.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an emergency meeting, directing officials to reach isolated areas with food, water, and essential supplies. The military deployed more than 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft to support relief efforts.
In the Philippines, torrential rains triggered landslides and flash floods, displacing tens of thousands of people. The island of Cebu was among the hardest hit, receiving a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.
Meanwhile, parts of Vietnam, including Hue and Hoi An, are facing severe flooding from overflowing rivers. Forecasters warned that waves up to eight metres high could hit coastal areas.
Meteorologists cautioned that Kalmaegi could become one of the most destructive storms to hit Southeast Asia in recent years, with Thailand also issuing alerts for flash floods and landslides as the typhoon moves westward.
