Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam, prompting the authorities to cancel numerous flights and issue stay-at-home orders, following its recent devastation in the Philippines, where it claimed the lives of at least 114 individuals. Packing winds reaching up to 149 kilometers per hour, Kalmaegi tore roofs off buildings, toppled trees and telegraph poles, and generated waves as high as 10 meters along the central coast.
Approximately 260,000 people in Gia Lai province were relocated to ensure their safety, as Kalmaegi marked the 13th storm to hit Vietnam this year, ranking among the most potent ones. The government mobilized over 268,000 soldiers for potential search and rescue missions and cautioned about flood risks in low-lying areas, particularly affecting agriculture in the Central Highlands, a vital coffee-producing region.
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, precautionary measures were taken, with closures of establishments along Cua Dai beach near Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed town. Meanwhile, in Hue, farmers were still recuperating from the recent floods that claimed the lives of 47 individuals. Rice farmer Nguyen Van Rin expressed concerns about the ongoing devastation, stating that Kalmaegi could bring further destruction, adding to the losses he had already endured.
Vietnam’s aviation sector anticipates disruptions at eight airports, including Da Nang’s international airport, urging airlines and local authorities to monitor the storm’s trajectory closely to ensure passenger safety. Hoi An and Hue were already in recovery mode following previous floods that claimed the lives of 35 people.
In the Philippines, nearly two million people were affected by the typhoon, with over 560,000 individuals displaced, including approximately 450,000 seeking refuge in emergency shelters. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in response to the calamity.
The aftermath in Cebu showcased extensive destruction, with flattened homes, overturned vehicles, and debris-choked streets becoming visible as floodwaters receded. The evacuation of over 200,000 people before Kalmaegi’s landfall aimed to mitigate the impact, but many residents returned to find their homes in ruins, beginning the challenging task of clearing debris and rebuilding their lives.
As recovery efforts continue, the looming threat of a potential future storm raises concerns, following a series of natural disasters in the region. The devastation caused by Kalmaegi, the 20th storm in the Philippines this year, compounds the challenges faced by communities, including the recent earthquake that struck Cebu.