Manila: A ferocious tropical storm, Typhoon Kalmaegi, has carved a path of destruction through Southeast Asia, claiming nearly 200 lives and leaving hundreds missing in its wake. The cyclone among the most powerful storms to strike the region this year battered the Philippines and central Vietnam with violent winds, torrential rainfall, and flash floods, exposing once again the fragile resilience of the region against extreme weather events.
The Philippines has suffered the heaviest blow from Kalmaegi’s onslaught. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that 188 people have died, while 135 remain missing and at least 96 have been injured. Several coastal villages were obliterated by fierce storm surges, and mountainous regions have been severed by landslides, cutting off rescue routes.
Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing across Albay, Catanduanes, Quezon, and other provinces, where homes have been flattened, roads submerged, and communication lines destroyed. The Philippine Army and Coast Guard are assisting local authorities in search operations, deploying boats, helicopters, and heavy machinery to reach isolated areas.
Entire communities remain under water, with families crowding into makeshift evacuation centers as emergency teams distribute food, blankets, and medical aid. Power outages continue to plague large swathes of Luzon and the Bicol region, further complicating recovery efforts.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamity across affected regions, releasing emergency funds and urging citizens to remain alert for secondary flooding. “We are facing an unprecedented humanitarian challenge,” the President said, emphasizing the need for coordinated national response and international support.
After ravaging the Philippines, Typhoon Kalmaegi moved westward, slamming into central Vietnam late Thursday night. The storm brought fierce winds exceeding 120 km/h, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees, and plunging entire provinces into darkness.
The Vietnam News Agency reported that at least one person was killed in Dak Lak province when a house collapsed, while several others were injured. Authorities continue to assess the extent of damage across provinces including Thanh Hóa, Quảng Trị, Quảng Nam, and Thừa Thiên-Huế, where the typhoon dumped up to 200 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours.
The Vietnamese government has mobilized more than 268,000 soldiers and thousands of volunteers to conduct search and rescue operations, evacuate vulnerable residents, and restore essential services. Officials have issued fresh warnings of possible flash floods and landslides, particularly in low-lying agricultural regions.
The storm’s arrival has raised concerns for Vietnam’s coffee industry, centered in the Central Highlands, which is now grappling with waterlogging and crop destruction. As the world’s largest exporter of robusta coffee, Vietnam’s agricultural losses could have ripple effects on global markets and local livelihoods.
Kalmaegi’s widespread destruction has displaced tens of thousands in both nations. In the Philippines, makeshift shelters in schools, gymnasiums, and churches have become temporary homes for affected families. In Vietnam, government-run centers have taken in evacuees from vulnerable coastal areas.
Transportation networks have also been crippled. Flooding and fallen debris forced the suspension of hundreds of flights, while major highways and rail lines remain impassable. Maritime authorities have banned fishing operations, keeping vessels docked as strong waves and rain continue.
The Philippine Civil Aviation Authority has placed airports and control centers on high alert, as meteorologists warn of another approaching storm system expected to affect parts of the country this weekend.
Typhoon Kalmaegi marks the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year, reflecting a troubling trend of intensifying and more frequent tropical storms in the Pacific basin. Scientists attribute this to climate change, noting that rising sea temperatures are fueling stronger cyclones with unpredictable rainfall patterns.
“Kalmaegi is a stark reminder that climate change is amplifying storm intensity faster than infrastructure can adapt,” said a regional climate expert. “Urban expansion, poor drainage, and deforestation have worsened flood impacts, turning heavy rain into humanitarian disaster.”
Despite improvements in early-warning systems, both the Philippines and Vietnam remain highly vulnerable. Analysts emphasize the urgent need for stronger disaster-resilient housing, flood defenses, and climate-adaptive agriculture to mitigate future risks.
Relief agencies are rushing to provide aid across affected areas. The Philippine Red Cross, Vietnamese Army, and local NGOs have mobilized to deliver food, clean water, and medical supplies. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has pledged logistical assistance, while neighboring countries have expressed solidarity and support.
However, access to remote regions remains limited. Continuous rainfall and damaged bridges hinder the transport of relief goods, while health experts warn of possible waterborne disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters. Governments are now focusing on restoring clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent secondary crises.
As rescue operations continue and the death toll climbs, Typhoon Kalmaegi stands as a grim reminder of the growing climate threat facing Southeast Asia. The storm’s ferocity has underscored how fragile coastal communities are in the face of natural disasters and how urgent coordinated climate action has become.
For survivors in both nations, the coming weeks will be a test of resilience. The challenge now lies not only in rebuilding destroyed homes and infrastructure but also in preparing for future storms that are likely to grow more powerful and more frequent.
Typhoon Kalmaegi may have passed, but its scars both human and environmental will endure as a warning of what unchecked climate change can bring to one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions.