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More than 50 flights have been canceled or rescheduled, and six airports in the region have suspended operations
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Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has killed at least 114 people in the Philippines, is now barreling toward central Vietnam with increasing strength, prompting mass evacuations in coastal communities. Vietnam’s weather bureau has warned of waves up to 8 meters (26 feet) high as the storm approaches. More than 50 flights have been canceled or rescheduled, and six airports in the region have suspended operations.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called Kalmaegi “very abnormal” and urged officials to act urgently.
In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity after the typhoon caused widespread devastation, particularly on the island of Cebu. At least 71 deaths were reported there, with 127 people still missing and 82 injured. Entire towns were submerged, and floodwaters left a thick layer of mud in residential areas.
“Almost 10 regions, around 10 to 12 regions, will be affected. So if that many areas are involved, with that kind of scope, then it’s a national calamity,” Marcos told local media.
A state of calamity allows faster access to emergency funds and essential services. Most of the deaths were due to drowning, as torrents of muddy water swept through towns.
Jel-an Moira Servas, a resident of Mandaue City, described her home as filled with mud and everything “in shambles.” She said, “We don’t even know where to start cleaning. I can’t even look at it without crying.”
More than 400,000 people have been displaced in Cebu alone, and a military helicopter deployed for relief efforts crashed, killing six crew members.
Carlos Jose Lañas, a 19-year-old volunteer rescuer, said the flooding was the worst he had ever seen. “Even emergency responders did not expect this kind of scenario,” he noted.
Kalmaegi is the 20th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year. Thailand is also preparing for potential flash floods and landslides as the storm moves across the region.
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