Devastation in the Philippines as Typhoon Kalmaegi Approaches Vietnam

Thu Nov 06 2025 18:50:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a deadly aftermath, Typhoon Kalmaegi claims 114 lives in the Philippines and threatens Vietnam with significant storm surges and heavy rains. Local evacuations and flight disruptions underscore the urgency of the situation as recovery efforts begin.

Typhoon Kalmaegi has wreaked havoc across the Philippines, resulting in at least 114 fatalities and extensive damage, particularly in Cebu. With the storm now headed towards Vietnam, authorities are on high alert, urging coastal communities to evacuate as the typhoon gains strength and is predicted to bring waves of up to 26 feet. The Philippines has declared a state of calamity, and significant disruption to flights has already been noted as the region braces for further impact.

Typhoon Kalmaegi, which killed at least 114 people in the Philippines, is barrelling towards central Vietnam with increasing windspeeds.

Thousands of people who live in coastal communities have been asked to evacuate ahead of its arrival, which is expected to bring waves of up to 8m (26 ft), according to Vietnam's weather bureau.

Kalmaegi, one of the strongest typhoons this year, is likely to cause further devastation in a country which has already been battling record rains and deadly floods over the past week.

More than 50 flights have been cancelled or rescheduled, while six airports in the region have suspended operations.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called Kalmaegi a very abnormal storm and urged local officials to treat it with urgency.

Earlier on Thursday, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of calamity after the typhoon left a trail of deaths and devastation in his country.

The storm has flooded entire towns on Cebu, the region's most populous island, where 71 deaths were reported. Another 127 are missing and 82 injured, according to officials.

Cebu provincial authorities reported a further 28 deaths which were not included in the tally released by the national civil defence office, according to AFP.

President Marcos Jr told reporters on Thursday that he made the decision because of the damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, and in anticipation of another storm Uwan, expected to hit the country over the weekend.

Almost 10 regions, around 10 to 12 regions, will be affected. So if that many areas are involved, with that kind of scope, then it's a national calamity, he stated.

In the Philippines, a state of calamity allows government agencies to access emergency funds to assist affected areas.

Most casualties occurred due to drowning after the storm caused heavy flooding. Local officials described the aftermath as “unprecedented,” with residential areas significantly damaged and many citizens returning to their severely impacted homes.

Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone this year to hit the Philippines and follows shortly after previous typhoons that had already wreaked destruction.

As authorities in both the Philippines and Vietnam prepare for further impacts, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with over 400,000 people displaced in Cebu alone amidst ongoing recovery efforts.