At least five individuals lost their lives in Vietnam following the onslaught of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas. The storm hit central Vietnam late on Thursday, causing damage to homes, uprooting trees, and causing power outages before weakening as it moved inland.
Officials have warned of ongoing heavy rainfall of up to 200 millimeters in central provinces, with potential flooding and landslides due to rising river levels. In Gia Lai province, Nguyen Dinh Sa, a shrimp farm owner, reported significant losses due to the typhoon, with around six metric tons of shrimp destroyed, leading to a desperate situation for him.
The typhoon caused widespread destruction along the coast, including toppling trees, shattering glass, and displacing roofing sheets. Residents relied on generators to recharge their phones amidst the aftermath. Vietnam’s disaster management agency reported seven injuries, around 2,800 damaged homes, and 1.3 million people without electricity.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines visited evacuation centers in Cebu, distributing relief aid and ensuring continuous government support for victims after Kalmaegi left 135 individuals missing and 96 others injured. Kalmaegi marks the 13th typhoon in the South China Sea this year, with both Vietnam and the Philippines susceptible to tropical storms and typhoons due to their locations along the Pacific typhoon belt.
As another typhoon, Fung-wong, is expected to intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall in the northern Philippines, the civil aviation regulator has heightened alert levels in preparation. The forecast predicts landfall in northern Aurora province, potentially affecting the densely populated capital region of Manila.