HANOI: Coastal areas in Vietnam are assessing the damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi’s strong winds and heavy rain, which has already claimed one life in Dak Lak province, state media reported. The storm hit central Vietnam late Thursday, uprooting trees, damaging homes, and causing power outages as it moved inland. Authorities warned of continued heavy rainfall of up to 200 millimetres in provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.
Kalmaegi earlier wreaked havoc in the Philippines, killing at least 188 people. Officials said 135 people remain missing and 96 have been injured, highlighting the typhoon’s deadly impact on the region.
Read More: Typhoon kills 142 in the Philippines as storm heads to Vietnam
In Vietnam, photos and videos circulating on social media showed streets littered with fallen trees and debris, along with flooded homes and damaged roofs. The government has mobilized over 268,000 soldiers for search-and-rescue operations and cautioned about potential floods in low-lying areas, which could affect the Central Highlands, the country’s main coffee-growing region.
Kalmaegi is the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year. Both Vietnam and the Philippines are frequently affected by tropical storms and typhoons due to their location along the Pacific typhoon belt, often resulting in casualties and significant property damage during peak storm seasons.
Read More: Typhoon Kalmaegi slams Philippines, killing four, displacing thousands
Philippine authorities have placed airports and area centers on heightened alert ahead of another typhoon expected to hit parts of the country this weekend, continuing the region’s battle against severe weather events.