Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into Vietnam on Thursday evening after leaving a trail of destruction across the Philippines that killed at least 114 people and submerged towns under floodwaters.
The powerful storm made landfall in Vietnam’s Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces at 7:29 p.m. local time (12:29 GMT), bringing winds of up to 92 mph (149 km/h) and torrential rain, according to the country’s weather bureau. Authorities have warned of severe flooding and landslides across seven cities and provinces.
Vietnam’s government has placed more than 260,000 soldiers and rescue personnel on standby, along with 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft, to assist in emergency operations. Six airports have been shut down, with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an emergency meeting to oversee disaster response, urging swift action to reach affected areas.
“We must reach isolated regions and ensure people have food, drinking water, and essential supplies,” he said. “No one should be left hungry or cold.”
Reports from several provinces described roofs ripped off houses, trees uprooted, and windows shattered by powerful gusts. In Quy Nhon, fallen trees blocked major roads, and hotels near the coast sustained heavy damage
Residents in Dak Lak province, about 350 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, made urgent calls for help as homes collapsed and floodwaters rose rapidly.
The storm is also expected to generate waves up to eight meters (26 feet) in the South China Sea, posing further danger to coastal and fishing communities.
Before striking Vietnam, Kalmaegi — known locally in the Philippines as Tino — unleashed catastrophic floods and mudslides across the country, particularly on Cebu island, a popular tourist destination.
At least 114 people were confirmed dead, with tens of thousands forced to evacuate. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of emergency, citing mass casualties, widespread property damage, and severe disruption to livelihoods.
Residents described scenes of devastation as homes were washed away and vehicles swept through the streets.
“We don’t have any home anymore,” said Mely Saberon, a resident of Talisay City, one of the hardest-hit areas. “We’ve experienced many typhoons before, but this one was different.”
Families have begun clearing debris and searching for salvageable belongings amid a thick layer of mud.
Vietnam had already been grappling with record rainfall and flooding in recent days, with historic cities such as Hue and Hoi An inundated after nearby rivers burst their banks.
Authorities have warned of sea-level rises between four and six meters (13–20 feet) in some coastal provinces, threatening fishing communities and low-lying areas.
Neighboring Thailand is now bracing for Kalmaegi’s impact, with officials warning of possible flash floods, landslides, and river overflows in the coming days.
Experts say Typhoon Kalmaegi could become one of Asia’s most destructive storms of the year, underscoring the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the region.
