Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi Slams Vietnam After Leaving Trail of Destruction in Philippines

                     Fishing boats are seen docked as Typhoon Kalmaegi approches in Da Nang city, Vietnam      

Typhoon Kalmaegi has battered Vietnam just days after devastating the Philippines, where at least 114 people lost their lives and more than 127 remain missing. The powerful storm, packing winds of up to 149 kph (93 mph), made landfall in Vietnam’s central provinces, forcing authorities to cancel flights, shut down airports, and order residents to remain indoors.

In the Philippines, Kalmaegi unleashed torrential rains and flash floods that swept away homes and vehicles, leaving communities in ruins. A state of emergency was declared as rescue teams continued searching for survivors amid widespread destruction.

As the storm crossed the South China Sea, it regained strength before striking Vietnam. Officials reported waves as high as 10 metres (30 feet) along the coast, while thousands of homes lost power and trees were uprooted. More than 260,000 people were evacuated to safety, and the government deployed soldiers to assist with disaster response.

Vietnam’s central provinces, already reeling from record-breaking rains, now face severe flooding risks. Authorities warned that Ho Chi Minh City could see up to 100 millimetres of rainfall, coinciding with high tides on the Saigon River, raising fears of inundation in low-lying areas.

Kalmaegi is the 13th storm to hit Vietnam this year, and among the most powerful. With airports closed, crops threatened, and infrastructure damaged, the storm underscores the growing vulnerability of Southeast Asia to extreme weather events.