At least five individuals lost their lives in Vietnam as Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaked havoc across the coastal regions with its destructive winds and heavy rainfall, officials confirmed on Friday. This latest storm follows a devastating path in the Philippines, where it has already resulted in the deaths of at least 188 people.
Kalmaegi made landfall in central Vietnam late Thursday, causing widespread destruction, including uprooted trees, damaged homes, and widespread power outages before it gradually weakened as it moved inland. The government reported that nearly 2,800 homes were affected and around 1.3 million people were left without electricity. Additionally, seven people sustained injuries during the storm.
In anticipation of continued severe weather, authorities warned that the central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri could experience an additional 200 millimeters (8 inches) of rain, raising the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly as river levels rise from Hue to Dak Lak.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit affected regions to evaluate the damage and support recovery efforts. Tragically, 135 people remain missing, and another 96 have suffered injuries from the storm’s impact. The catastrophic results of Kalmaegi in the Philippines include flattened homes and flooded streets, necessitating extensive evacuation efforts prior to the storm’s arrival. Reports highlight a growing urgency for debris clearance to facilitate searches for the missing and to aid relief operations.
Considering that Kalmaegi marks the 13th typhoon this year in the South China Sea, the vulnerability of both Vietnam and the Philippines is underscored by their location along the Pacific typhoon belt. Communities are no strangers to the destructive nature of tropical storms, often experiencing significant casualties and damage during peak storm seasons.
In preparation for yet another weather system, Typhoon Fung-wong is forecasted to strengthen into a super typhoon before potentially making landfall in the northern Philippines on the coming Sunday evening or early Monday morning. The civil aviation regulator in the Philippines has already placed all area centers and airport operations under heightened alert.
The tireless efforts for disaster preparedness demonstrated by both nations reflect a commitment to safeguarding their communities against the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. As they confront these challenges, the resilience of their people shines through, offering hope for recovery and the stronger rebuilding of communities in the face of adversity.
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