Typhoon Kalmaegi Claims Lives in Vietnam, New Storm Looms

Typhoon Kalmaegi struck Vietnam on September 29, 2023, resulting in at least five fatalities and extensive damage across central provinces. The storm, which had previously wreaked havoc in the Philippines, left local authorities and residents grappling with the aftermath as floodwaters began to recede.

In Vietnam, three individuals lost their lives in Dak Lak province, while two others were reported dead in Gia Lai province. Additionally, three people remain missing in Quang Ngai, according to state media sources. The storm caused injuries to six others and led to the destruction of 52 houses, with nearly 2,600 properties impacted, particularly in Gia Lai where over 2,400 homes suffered damage or had roofs blown off. Power outages affected more than 1.6 million households, further complicating recovery efforts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines declared a state of national emergency on Thursday as the country prepared for another storm, Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan. The weather bureau indicated that Fung-wong could expand to approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) in diameter before making landfall in northern Aurora province, potentially impacting the highly populated capital region of Manila.

Kalmaegi’s impact in the Philippines was severe, with at least 188 fatalities and 135 individuals reported missing, according to the Office of Civil Defense. The storm displaced over half a million people, with nearly 450,000 needing evacuation to shelters. As of Thursday, over 318,000 people remained in those shelters.

As Kalmaegi weakened into a tropical storm and moved towards Cambodia, reports from Vietnam indicated widespread destruction. Residents in the city of Quy Nhon awoke to find their neighborhoods scattered with corrugated metal roofs and household items. In Dak Lak, streets were littered with debris as the local population began assessing the damage. Many businesses faced challenges as shopkeepers struggled to salvage waterlogged goods while families worked to clear mud and repair roofs.

This latest weather event comes as Vietnam’s central region was still recovering from previous flooding caused by record rainfall. Local authorities reported that over 537,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas, often by boat, as landslides were a significant concern. Forecasts suggested that some regions could receive up to 24 inches (600 millimeters) of rain, raising fears of further flooding.

On September 28, three fishermen went missing when their boat capsized near Ly Son Island off Quang Ngai. Search operations were halted due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Vietnam experiences about a dozen storms annually, and this year has been particularly challenging, with Typhoon Ragasa, followed by Typhoons Bualoi and Matmo, contributing to over 85 fatalities and an estimated damage cost of $1.36 billion.

Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying the severity and frequency of storms in Southeast Asia, making the region increasingly vulnerable to destructive weather events. As communities recover from Typhoon Kalmaegi, the looming threat of Typhoon Fung-wong underscores the ongoing challenges faced by nations in this disaster-prone area.