In brief
Typhoon Kalmaegi has resulted in the deaths of at least 188 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, with significant damage reported across central regions. The typhoon has left thousands evacuated, amidst warnings of flooding and further adverse weather conditions as it moves towards Cambodia and Laos. Emergency responses are ongoing as authorities work to provide relief to affected areas.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 188 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, according to the latest figures from the two countries.
The storm is now headed west to Cambodia and Laos after it barreled through central Vietnam on Thursday with winds reaching speeds of up to 149 km/h (92 mph).
Towns along Vietnam's central coast were left in a state of disarray, littered with debris as the storm made landfall. The aftermath has seen uprooted trees, torn-off roofs, and smashed windows, with thousands of residents seeking refuge in schools and public buildings.
Vietnamese authorities have responded to the emergency by deploying over 260,000 soldiers and personnel, as well as resources such as 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft for relief missions. Several airports and expressways were closed, and hundreds of thousands were evacuated.
The aftermath in the Philippines was equally devastating, with flash floods obliterating poor neighborhoods after catastrophic rainfall was dumped within 24 hours. Reports indicate that the death toll in the Philippines jumped dramatically, prompting the government to declare a state of calamity nationwide.
Authorities have warned of further flooding risks in low-lying areas, exacerbated by recent record rainfall. As the storm's effects linger, the need for shelter, food, and essential supplies remains pressing, with officials emphasizing the urgency of their response to isolated communities.
As cleanup efforts begin, many residents report significant property loss, struggling to recover from the whirlwind of destruction that Kalmaegi has wrought.
