Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Southeast Asia: Over 190 Dead Across Philippines and Vietnam, Thousands Displaced

Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction across Southeast Asia, killing at least 188 people in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, with hundreds still missing. The powerful storm, packing winds of up to 149 km/h (92 mph), tore through Vietnam’s central provinces late Thursday before weakening and moving westward toward Cambodia and Laos.

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Southeast Asia Reels Under Kalmaegi’s Fury

The storm—known locally as Tino in the Philippines—struck with unrelenting force, uprooting trees, ripping roofs off buildings, and inundating low-lying areas across central Vietnam. Entire towns along the coast woke up to scenes of devastation, with debris-strewn streets, shattered windows, and widespread power outages.

According to Vietnam’s disaster management authorities, more than 260,000 soldiers and emergency personnel were deployed ahead of the storm, supported by over 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft. The preemptive response, one of the largest in recent years, helped limit casualties even as torrential rains and strong winds battered Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and surrounding provinces.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, addressing an emergency meeting, instructed local administrations to prioritize food, water, and shelter for affected residents.

“We must reach isolated areas and ensure people have food, drinking water, and essential supplies. No one should be left hungry or cold,” he said.

Authorities have warned of widespread flooding and landslides as central Vietnam continues to receive heavy rainfall following record precipitation that had already claimed 50 lives earlier in the week.

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Philippines Declares State of Calamity

Before striking Vietnam, Typhoon Kalmaegi unleashed catastrophic flooding across the Philippines, particularly in the central regions including Cebu, one of the country’s most densely populated islands. In just 24 hours, the storm dumped a month’s worth of rain, triggering flash floods and landslides that buried homes and swept away vehicles.

Entire neighborhoods in cities such as Talisay were wiped out. Survivors described scenes of chaos as floodwaters rose with terrifying speed.

“We don’t have any home anymore,” said Mely Saberon, a resident of Talisay City, recounting how her family escaped with nothing. “We didn’t expect the surge of rain and wind. We’ve experienced many typhoons before, but this one was different.”

The death toll in the Philippines climbed sharply from 114 to 188 within a day, with 135 people still missing. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a nationwide state of calamity, allowing faster release of funds for disaster relief and enabling price controls on essential goods.

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Regional Impact and Ongoing Risks

Kalmaegi’s path now cuts across Cambodia and Laos, where forecasters expect heavy rainfall and possible flash floods in the coming days. Humanitarian agencies, including the Red Cross and ASEAN Disaster Management Centre, are mobilizing emergency supplies and assessing damage in remote regions where communication lines remain down.

Meteorologists warn that another storm system is already forming over the western Pacific, potentially threatening parts of the Philippines again within a week—a worrying prospect for a country still reeling from destruction.

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Global and Local Response

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it was working closely with both governments to provide logistical and financial support. Early assessments suggest tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged across both nations, while critical infrastructure—roads, power lines, and schools—has suffered severe disruption.

Experts say Typhoon Kalmaegi is part of an alarming trend of intensifying tropical storms in the region, exacerbated by climate change. Rising sea surface temperatures are contributing to stronger and more unpredictable typhoons, increasing the risk for coastal communities across Southeast Asia.