Cebu: EgyPulse – News Desk – Rehab Mohamed
Authorities in Vietnam are preparing for the arrival of Typhoon Kalmaegi, a powerful storm that has already left at least 114 people dead in the Philippines and caused severe destruction across Cebu, the country’s most populous island.
Tens of thousands of coastal residents in central Vietnam have been ordered to evacuate as the typhoon gathers strength, bringing the threat of waves up to eight meters high, according to the national weather bureau. The storm, among the fiercest to strike Southeast Asia this year, threatens to exacerbate weeks of heavy rains and flooding that have already battered parts of Vietnam.
More than 50 domestic and international flights have been canceled or rescheduled, and six airports across the region have suspended operations as a precaution.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha described Kalmaegi as an “unusual and dangerous” system, urging local officials to prioritize public safety and emergency coordination.
In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of calamity following widespread devastation, particularly in Cebu, where entire towns remain submerged. Officials there reported 71 deaths, 127 missing individuals, and dozens injured. Local authorities later confirmed an additional 28 fatalities not yet reflected in national figures.
President Marcos said the government acted urgently not only because of Kalmaegi’s damage but also in anticipation of another approaching system, Storm Uwan, forecast to hit over the weekend.
“Almost 10 to 12 regions will be affected,” Marcos said. “With such a vast area impacted, this is a national calamity.”
