Typhoon Kalmaegi has brought heavy rain and widespread destruction to Vietnam after sweeping through the Philippines, where the death toll has risen to at least 188 people, with more than 130 still missing, officials said Friday. The storm made landfall in central Vietnam late Thursday, toppling trees, damaging homes, and causing severe power outages before weakening inland. Authorities have warned that up to 200 millimetres of additional rain may fall across several central provinces, raising the risk of flooding and landslides as river levels continue to rise. Vietnam’s disaster management agency reported at least five deaths, seven injuries, and damage to around 2,800 homes. Roughly 1.3 million people were left without electricity, and railway infrastructure in Quang Ngai province suffered damage. Social media images showed flooded streets, destroyed roofs, and trees strewn across roads.
More than 268,000 soldiers have been deployed to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is still reeling from Kalmaegi’s devastating path. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is scheduled to inspect the hardest-hit regions, where search operations continue and almost 100 people are injured. But the crisis may deepen. Another storm — Typhoon Fung-wong (Uwan) — is advancing toward the region and could grow to 1,400 kilometres in diameter, with forecasters warning it may intensify into a super typhoon before striking northern Aurora province late Sunday or early Monday. The storm could potentially impact the Manila metropolitan area. Both Vietnam and the Philippines lie along the Pacific typhoon belt, making them especially vulnerable during peak storm season. Kalmaegi is the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year. Officials in the Philippines have already placed airports and air traffic centres on heightened alert in preparation for Fung-wong.
