Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam on Thursday, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights and issuing stay-at-home orders, following its destructive path through the Philippines where it claimed the lives of at least 114 individuals over two days.
With wind speeds reaching up to 149 kilometers per hour, as reported by the national weather authority, Kalmaegi wreaked havoc by tearing off roofs, toppling trees and utility poles, and generating waves as high as 10 meters along the central coastal areas.
To ensure safety, authorities shut down six airports and evacuated over 260,000 residents in Gia Lai province. This marks the 13th storm to hit Vietnam this year and stands out as one of the most potent ones.
The government mobilized more than 268,000 soldiers for potential search and rescue missions, emphasizing the risk of flooding in low-lying regions and the probable agricultural impacts, particularly in the Central Highlands renowned for coffee cultivation.
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, precautions were taken, including the closure of establishments and homes near Cua Dai beach close to the historic town of Hoi An. Meanwhile, in the vicinity of Hue, farmers were still reeling from recent floods that claimed 47 lives.
Rice farmer Nguyen Van Rin shared his concerns about the impending calamity, recalling the loss of his livestock in the previous floods. Similarly, the aviation sector braced for disruptions, as eight airports, including Da Nang’s international airport, were anticipated to face operational challenges due to the typhoon.
In the Philippines, nearly two million people were affected by Kalmaegi, prompting the evacuation of over 200,000 individuals before the storm’s landfall. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in response to the widespread devastation witnessed in various provinces.
The aftermath in hard-hit areas like Cebu painted a grim picture with flattened homes, debris-ridden streets, and displaced residents returning to ruins. Recovery efforts faced obstacles, particularly in debris removal to facilitate further rescue operations and aid distribution.
As communities grappled with the aftermath, the threat of another storm loomed on the horizon, intensifying concerns for the affected regions. Kalmaegi’s impact compounded the challenges faced by the Philippines, following a recent earthquake in northern Cebu that added to the region’s woes.
