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Typhoon Kalmaegi strikes Vietnam with deadly force
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam on Thursday evening, bringing winds of up to 92 mph (149 km/h) and heavy rainfall after killing at least 114 people and devastating communities in the Philippines earlier this week.
Vietnamese authorities have mobilized over 260,000 soldiers, 6,700 vehicles, and six aircraft for rescue and relief operations as the storm-locally named Tino-battered coastal and inland regions, according to state media and the government's disaster response portal.
Widespread disruptions and damage reported
Six airports across Vietnam suspended operations, stranding hundreds of passengers as flights were canceled or delayed. The national weather service warned that more than 100 localities in seven provinces face imminent flooding and landslide risks within the next six hours.
Early reports from affected areas describe severe structural damage: roofs torn from homes, shattered hotel windows, and uprooted trees blocking roads. In Quy Non, fallen trees obstructed main thoroughfares, while gusts demolished glass facades in commercial districts. The typhoon's outer bands also triggered storm surges of up to 8 meters (26 feet) in the South China Sea, threatening coastal infrastructure.
(19:59 local time) Within 30 minutes of landfall in Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces-roughly 350 km (215 miles) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City-residents in two communes issued distress calls via local media, reporting collapsed homes and rising floodwaters amid unrelenting wind and rain.
Philippines reels from prior devastation
Before reaching Vietnam, Kalmaegi ravaged central Philippines, where it dumped a month's worth of rainfall in 24 hours. The deluge triggered catastrophic flooding in Cebu and other islands, sweeping away vehicles, homes, and livelihoods. At least 114 fatalities have been confirmed, with tens of thousands displaced.
"We don't have any home anymore. We weren't able to salvage anything. We've experienced many typhoons before, but this one was different."
Mely Saberon, resident of Talisay City, Philippines
Survivors like Saberon now face the daunting task of clearing thick mud and debris from obliterated neighborhoods. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency on Thursday, citing "mass casualties, major property damage, and severe disruption to livelihoods."
Vietnam's dual crisis: typhoon meets record floods
Kalmaegi's arrival exacerbates Vietnam's existing flood crisis. Over the past week, record rainfall has swollen rivers, submerging UNESCO-listed Hue and the historic trading port of Hoi An-where residents navigated streets by boat after the Hoai River overflowed. Coastal provinces now brace for storm surges of 4-6 meters (13-20 feet), risking capsized fishing vessels and destroyed aquaculture farms.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh convened an emergency videoconference Thursday, urging officials to prioritize isolated communities. "No one should be left hungry or cold," he stated, emphasizing the need for food, clean water, and medical supplies in cut-off areas.
"Typhoon Damrey in 2017 was less intense but still devastated coastal areas. Kalmaegi's power demands extreme vigilance."
Nguyen Xuan Hien, deputy director, Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting
Regional alerts extend to Thailand
Neighboring Thailand has issued flash flood and landslide warnings as Kalmaegi's outer bands approach. Authorities advised residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate low-lying areas and secure property against potential river overflows.
Military and civilian response
Vietnam's military has pre-positioned rescue teams in high-risk zones, while local officials conducted door-to-door evacuations in coastal villages Wednesday. The government's disaster agency continues to monitor river levels and landslide-prone slopes, with updates expected every three hours.
