Typhoon Kalmaegi Hits Vietnam After Devastating the Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Vietnam on Thursday, causing authorities to cancel hundreds of flights and order residents to stay indoors. This occurred two days after the storm swept through the Philippines, resulting in at least 114 deaths.
The national weather forecaster reported that Kalmaegi brought winds reaching up to 149 kilometres per hour. The typhoon tore roofs off houses, uprooted trees and telegraph poles, and generated waves as high as 10 metres (30 feet) along the central coast.
Government and Emergency Response
Officials closed six airports, and more than 260,000 people in Gia Lai province were evacuated to safety. Kalmaegi is the 13th storm to impact Vietnam this year, ranking among the strongest.
The government has mobilized over 268,000 soldiers for search and rescue efforts. Flooding is expected in low-lying areas, with significant effects predicted for agriculture in the Central Highlands, Vietnam’s primary coffee-growing region.
Local Impact and Community Concerns
Hotels and homes along Cua Dai beach near the historic UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An were closed as the storm neared. Near Hue, a recent flood that claimed 47 lives is still fresh in the minds of farmers.
"Kalmaegi will flood us for the fourth time and I am afraid it will be quite bad," said rice farmer Nguyen Van Rin, 42, who lost livestock and poultry in the previous floods, as he navigated his boat through waterlogged roads.
Vehicles were moving slowly through flooded streets as the community braced for more damage.
Summary: Typhoon Kalmaegi has caused major disruptions and fatalities in the Philippines and Vietnam, prompting widespread evacuations and emergency responses to mitigate flood and agricultural damage.
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