Typhoon Kalmaegi Hits Vietnam After Devastating Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Vietnam on Thursday, leading officials to cancel hundreds of flights and order residents to stay indoors. This came two days after the storm swept through the Philippines, causing at least 114 fatalities.
Storm Impact and Response
According to the national weather forecaster, Kalmaegi brought winds up to 149 kilometres per hour. The typhoon ripped roofs off houses, toppled trees and telegraph poles, and generated waves reaching 10 metres (30 feet) along the central coast.
Six airports were closed, and over 260,000 people in Gia Lai province were evacuated to safety. More than 268,000 soldiers have been placed on standby for search and rescue missions.
Warnings and Local Damage
The government warned about potential flooding in low-lying zones and damage to agriculture, especially in the Central Highlands, known for coffee production. Hotels and homes near Cua Dai beach, close to the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An, were secured ahead of the storm.
In the coastal city of Hue, residents were still recovering from recent floods that claimed 47 lives. Rice farmer Nguyen Van Rin, 42, shared his concerns:
Kalmaegi will flood us for the fourth time and I am afraid it will be quite bad.
Author's Summary
Typhoon Kalmaegi continues to cause severe damage and displacement across Southeast Asia, testing Vietnam's disaster readiness with its intense winds and heavy rains.