Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed at least 188 lives in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, according to the latest official tallies. The storm is now moving westward toward Cambodia and Laos, after tearing through central Vietnam on Thursday with winds reaching 149 km/h (92 mph).
By Friday morning, towns along Vietnam’s central coast were strewn with debris after enduring the storm’s full impact overnight. The powerful winds uprooted trees, ripped off roofs, and shattered windows, prompting thousands to seek refuge in schools and public buildings. The army has been deployed to support rescue and recovery efforts.
Authorities in Vietnam have warned of further flooding in low-lying areas, as the region has already experienced record rainfall over the past week that left 50 people dead.
Earlier in the week, Kalmaegi devastated large parts of the Philippines, where torrential rains triggered landslides and flash floods that obliterated entire neighbourhoods. The death toll, which rose sharply from 114 to 188, could increase further, with 135 people still missing. The government has declared a state of calamity nationwide as it braces for another typhoon forming in the Pacific.
In preparation, Vietnam’s military deployed over 260,000 personnel, 6,700 vehicles, and six aircraft to assist with evacuations and relief. Airports and major highways were closed, and hundreds of thousands were relocated to safety.
When the storm made landfall at 19:29 local time (12:29 GMT), residents of Dak Lak province—about 350 km (215 miles) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City—issued urgent calls for help as homes collapsed and floodwaters rose.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an emergency meeting, instructing responders to reach isolated communities and ensure food, clean water, and essential supplies reach those in need. “No one should be left hungry or cold,” he said.
Before hitting Vietnam, the typhoon—known locally as Tino—battered the Philippines, displacing tens of thousands, particularly around Cebu, a major island and tourist hub. Kalmaegi dumped a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours, sending torrents of mud and debris through urban centers.
Entire communities were wiped out in poorer districts, where houses were too fragile to withstand the storm. In Talisay City, one survivor, Mely Saberon, stood amid the wreckage of her destroyed home.
“We have no home anymore,” she told the BBC. “We couldn’t save anything. We’ve seen many typhoons, but this one was different.”
Residents have since begun clearing mud and debris, salvaging what little remains. On Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of emergency, citing widespread casualties, destruction, and severe disruption to livelihoods and daily life in the affected regions.
