Typhoon Kalmaegi Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Southeast Asia

Typhoon Kalmaegi, one of the year’s most powerful storms, has moved westward into Cambodia and Laos after causing widespread damage and claiming lives in the Philippines and Vietnam.

At least 114 people died in the Philippines after the typhoon triggered devastating floods earlier this week, with over 120 still missing. The storm dumped a month’s worth of rain on the island of Cebu in just 24 hours, causing landslides and widespread destruction. In Vietnam, at least three people have died – one in Dak Lak province and two in Gia Lai province – after houses collapsed amid winds reaching 92mph (149km/h). The scale of the disaster highlights the increasing vulnerability of Southeast Asian nations to extreme weather events linked to climate change.

Vietnamese authorities deployed over 260,000 soldiers and personnel, along with thousands of vehicles and aircraft, for relief efforts. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held an emergency meeting, directing officials to ensure affected communities have access to essential supplies. “We must reach isolated areas and ensure people have food, drinking water, and essential supplies,” he stated. Hundreds of thousands were evacuated, and airports and expressways were temporarily closed. You can find more information about disaster preparedness from the American Red Cross.

The typhoon made landfall in Vietnam yesterday at 19:29 local time (12:29 GMT), prompting hundreds of residents in Dak Lak province to call for assistance as homes collapsed or flooded. Thailand is also bracing for the storm’s impact, with warnings issued for flash floods, landslides, and river overflows. For details on the recent flooding in Vietnam, see previous coverage.

Officials are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and are focused on providing aid to those affected.