Vietnam has been struck by one of the most powerful tropical storms in Asia this year, with Typhoon Kalmaegi making landfall and causing significant damage with winds reaching 148kph. The typhoon resulted in the loss of 114 lives in the Philippines, with 127 individuals still missing.
In the Philippines, Typhoon Kalmaegi led to extensive destruction, submerging roads in floodwater, destroying homes, and covering streets in debris. Mely Saberon, a resident of Talisay in Cebu, Philippines, described the devastation caused by the typhoon, stating that their home was completely destroyed, leaving them with nothing salvageable.
Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of emergency to facilitate the swift allocation of emergency funds and prevent issues like food hoarding and price gouging. This marked the 20th tropical storm to hit the Philippines this year, and despite not being the strongest, its slow movement made it particularly deadly.
The typhoon dumped a large amount of rain on densely populated areas, especially in Cebu province, resulting in numerous deaths from drowning. The rugged terrain in Cebu funneled water into communities lacking proper drainage, catching residents and emergency responders off-guard.
Volunteer rescuer Carlos Jose Lañas described the flooding in Cebu as the worst he had ever seen, with rivers overflowing and emergency responders overwhelmed by the number of people needing assistance. Cebu City was officially placed under a state of calamity due to the severe conditions, with impassable roads reported due to landslides, flooding, and debris.
Over 400,000 people in Cebu were displaced by the typhoon, affecting the 2.5 million residents of the city. Typhoon Kalmaegi is currently moving across central Vietnam, where residents in Dak Lak province have reported collapsed or flooded homes, prompting 260,000 soldiers to be on standby for storm relief efforts. The hurricane is anticipated to reach eastern Thailand by Friday morning.