Vietnam has been struck by one of the most potent tropical storms in Asia this year, with Typhoon Kalmaegi making landfall, unleashing winds of 148kph. The typhoon caused severe devastation in the Philippines, resulting in the deaths of 114 individuals and leaving 127 others missing.
The impact of the typhoon in the Philippines was significant, leading to widespread destruction as floodwaters engulfed roads, homes were flattened by powerful winds, and streets were covered in debris. Mely Saberon, a resident of Talisay in the province of Cebu, described the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi.
Reflecting on the situation, Mely stated, “We have lost everything. There was nothing left of our home.” He added, “The intensity of the rainfall and winds caught us off guard. We have faced numerous typhoons before, but this one was different. Our residences were completely destroyed.”
In response to the crisis, Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of emergency to facilitate the prompt allocation of emergency funds and prevent issues like food hoarding and price gouging.
Although Kalmaegi was not the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines, its slow movement proved to be particularly deadly, dumping a large amount of rain on densely populated regions, especially in Cebu province. Officials have indicated that most fatalities were a result of drowning.
In Cebu, the topography funneled water directly into communities lacking adequate drainage systems. Carlos Jose Lañas, a 19-year-old volunteer rescuer, expressed surprise at the extent of the flooding in Cebu despite preparations made for such events.
Lañas commented, “This is the worst flood I have ever witnessed. Nearly all the rivers in Cebu overflowed. Even the emergency responders were unprepared for this situation.” He added, “The volume of rescue requests overwhelmed the emergency services in Cebu due to the high number of people in need of assistance.”
Following the impact of the storm, the Cebu City Disaster Council declared a “state of calamity,” as recommended by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC). Despite ongoing clearing and rescue efforts, several roads in Cebu remain impassable due to landslides, flooding, and debris.
The national disaster agency of the Philippines reported that over 400,000 individuals have been displaced in Cebu by the typhoon, a city with a population of 2.5 million.
Typhoon Kalmaegi is currently moving through central Vietnam, where residents in Dak Lak province have reported collapsed or flooded homes. Approximately 260,000 soldiers in Vietnam are prepared to assist with storm relief efforts. The hurricane is expected to reach eastern Thailand on Friday morning.
