At least five individuals lost their lives in Vietnam following the onslaught of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which brought destructive winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas, officials confirmed on Friday. The storm, which had previously caused significant damage in the Philippines resulting in the deaths of at least 188 people, made landfall in central Vietnam late Thursday.
Upon reaching Vietnam, the typhoon uprooted trees, caused structural damage to homes, and led to power outages before gradually weakening as it moved inland. Authorities issued warnings about ongoing heavy rainfall of up to 200 millimetres in central provinces spanning from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri. They also highlighted the potential for flooding and landslides due to rising river levels from Hue to Dak Lak.
Nguyen Dinh Sa, a shrimp farm owner in Gia Lai province, expressed profound sorrow over the catastrophic losses incurred. Sa recounted his efforts to salvage his shrimp farm amid the seven-meter-high waves and strong winds but ultimately faced insurmountable losses totaling around six metric tons of shrimp.
The aftermath of the typhoon along the coast included widespread destruction, such as fallen trees, shattered glass, and displaced roofing sheets. Local residents gathered near generators to recharge their electronic devices amidst the power outages.
The disaster management agency of Vietnam reported seven injuries and approximately 2,800 damaged homes. Moreover, an estimated 1.3 million individuals were left without electricity. The government disclosed that the railway in Quang Ngai suffered damages and mobilized over 268,000 soldiers for search-and-rescue operations.
Philippines President Surveys Cebu’s Devastation
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited evacuation centers in Cebu to distribute relief supplies and assure victims of ongoing government assistance following the havoc wreaked by Typhoon Kalmaegi. The storm left 135 individuals missing and resulted in injuries to 96 others.
President Marcos expressed his condolences to provincial officials in Cebu, acknowledging the devastating impact of the flash floods that claimed numerous lives. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the affected communities.
Notably, Typhoon Kalmaegi marks the 13th cyclone to develop in the South China Sea this year. Both Vietnam and the Philippines face heightened vulnerability to tropical storms and typhoons due to their geographical positions along the Pacific typhoon belt, leading to recurrent damages and casualties during peak storm seasons.
In anticipation of another impending typhoon, Fung-wong, which is expected to strengthen into a super typhoon before hitting the northern Philippines, the civil aviation regulator in the Philippines has placed all area centers and airport operations on high alert. The forecast predicts a landfall in northern Aurora province, with potential impacts extending to the densely populated capital region of Manila.