Typhoon Kalmaegi Hits Vietnam After Devastating the Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Vietnam on Thursday, prompting authorities to cancel hundreds of flights and advise people to stay indoors. The storm followed a deadly path across the Philippines, where it claimed at least 114 lives.
The national weather agency reported wind speeds reaching up to 149 kilometres per hour. Kalmaegi caused significant damage by blowing off roofs, toppling trees and telegraph poles, and generating waves up to 10 metres (30 feet) along the central coastal region.
As a precaution, six airports were closed and more than 260,000 residents in Gia Lai province were evacuated to safer locations. This is the 13th storm to affect Vietnam this year and is considered among the strongest.
The government has mobilized over 268,000 soldiers for search and rescue efforts, and warned of potential flooding in low-lying areas and agricultural impacts, including in the Central Highlands, a key coffee-producing region.
Local Impact and Responses
Hotels and residences near Cua Dai beach close to the historic, UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An were boarded up ahead of the storm. Further north near Hue, farmers were still dealing with flood damage from earlier this week, which resulted in 47 deaths.
"Kalmaegi will flood us for the fourth time and I am afraid it will be quite bad," said rice farmer Nguyen Van Rin, 42, while navigating his boat through flooded roads where vehicles struggled to pass.
Summary
Typhoon Kalmaegi has brought severe destruction to Vietnam after devastating the Philippines, leading to evacuations, flight cancellations, and mobilization of rescue forces amid widespread flooding and damage.