Key Highlights–
- Over 114 people were killed and hundreds were displaced as Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated the Philippines.
- Storm regains intensity over the South China Sea, heading toward Vietnam’s central coast.
- Experts warn of heavy rainfall, storm surges, and a renewed risk of flooding in Southeast Asia.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has claimed at least 114 lives in the Philippines and left thousands displaced, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Torrential rains and landslides battered northern provinces, submerging villages and knocking out power lines across Luzon.
Kalmaegi Leaves Trail of Destruction in the Philippines
Rescue teams are continuing operations in remote mountainous areas where communication remains cut off. As reported by Reuters, officials said over 50,000 people have been evacuated, with widespread flooding affecting major highways and farmland. The typhoon, which first made landfall earlier this week, has now exited Philippine territory but continues to strengthen over open waters.
Storm Regains Strength Over the South China Sea
After weakening slightly over land, Kalmaegi has regained intensity while tracking northwest across the South China Sea. Satellite data from the Japan Meteorological Agency showed wind speeds surpassing 150 km/h, making it a strong Category 2 system.
According to AccuWeather, warm sea-surface temperatures are fueling the storm’s re-intensification. Meteorologists warn that Kalmaegi could unleash destructive winds and flash floods in Vietnam and southern China over the next 48 hours.
Vietnam on Alert as Storm Nears
Vietnam’s disaster management authority has issued high alerts in Da Nang, Hue, and Quang Ngai provinces, anticipating landfall by Friday morning. Authorities have ordered fishing boats to return to port and are preparing to evacuate low-lying coastal regions.
“The risk is extremely high given the storm’s path and the ongoing heavy rainfall,” said a spokesperson from Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as reported by local media outlet VNExpress. The storm is expected to bring 200–300 mm of rain, raising fears of flash floods and landslides in central Vietnam’s mountainous terrain.
How Vulnerable Is Vietnam as Typhoon Kalmaegi Crosses the South China Sea?
Vietnam sits squarely along the Western Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of Southeast Asia’s most disaster-prone nations. On average, five to six tropical storms strike the country each year, often battering central provinces like Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, and Da Nang. With Typhoon Kalmaegi now gathering power over the warm waters of the South China Sea, meteorologists warn that sea-surface temperatures up to 1.5°C above normal could intensify the system before landfall.
The country’s agricultural heartlands face heightened risks: coffee and rice-growing areas in the Central Highlands could experience harvest losses and soil erosion, while low-lying coastal zones are threatened by flash floods and storm surges of up to two metres. Despite the deployment of thousands of troops for disaster readiness, dense populations and infrastructure gaps leave Vietnam particularly exposed.
The country’s past experiences, such as Typhoon Damrey in 2017, which killed over 100 people, underscore how even strong preparedness efforts can struggle against the increasing intensity of tropical storms fueled by climate change.
Regional Ripple Effect
The storm’s movement across the South China Sea could disrupt shipping lanes and offshore oil operations, according to Bloomberg Energy. Chinese authorities in Hainan and Guangdong provinces have also issued advisories, halting ferry services and coastal construction.
Southeast Asia’s densely interconnected coastline often experiences a cascading impact from typhoons, with heavy rainfall triggering flooding far from the storm’s eye.
A Widening Regional Threat
Kalmaegi’s approach is a reminder of Southeast Asia’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather. While the Philippines grapples with recovery, Vietnam’s central coast braces for potential devastation in the coming days.
Authorities across the region have urged residents to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions as the typhoon continues its unpredictable course.
