In a relentless season of storms, Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th major weather system to form in the East Sea this year, has carved a path of destruction from the Philippines into Vietnam. Making landfall in central Vietnam late on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the typhoon unleashed fierce winds, torrential rains, and dangerous storm surges, testing the region's resilience just weeks after it was battered by record-breaking floods. This report provides a full, synthesized account of the immediate impact, the heroic mitigation efforts, the ongoing dangers, and the storm's tragic precedent in the Philippines.
The Immediate Toll: Human Cost and Fatalities
The human cost of Typhoon Kalmaegi in Vietnam is stark. Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that at least five people lost their lives across the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak. The precise circumstances of these fatalities are still under investigation but are believed to be related to collapsing structures and flash flooding.
Simultaneously, a maritime tragedy unfolded off the coast. Three fishermen from Quang Ngai province remain missing after their vessels failed to return to port ahead of the storm. Search and rescue operations for the missing fishermen were launched immediately but have been repeatedly suspended due to perilous sea conditions and ongoing severe weather. The nation holds hope for their safe return as efforts resume at the first possible opportunity.
A Landscape of Destruction: Widespread Damage to Infrastructure and Homes
The physical devastation left in Kalmaegi 's wake is extensive, affecting housing, utilities, and critical transportation networks.
Housing and Shelter: The storm's violent winds proved catastrophic for residential areas. Official damage assessments indicate that 52 homes were completely collapsed by the force of the typhoon. Furthermore, the roofs were torn off thousands of others, with nearly 2,800 homes reported as damaged, leaving a significant number of families displaced and vulnerable.
Power and Utilities: A massive blackout swept across the region, leaving approximately 1.3 million people without electricity. The cause was widespread damage to the power infrastructure, with countless electricity poles and lines knocked down by falling trees and hurricane-force winds. Restoration efforts are underway but are hampered by flooded roads and debris.
Transportation Gridlock: The typhoon brought Vietnam's central transport axis to a standstill. In a decisive safety measure, operations at eight major airports, including the key hubs of Da Nang, Phu Bai, and Chu Lai, were suspended. This led to the delay and cancellation of over 50 flights, stranding travelers and disrupting commerce. The national railway system, particularly in Quang Ngai province, also suffered significant damage, while many coastal roads were rendered impassable due to flooding and debris.
Mitigating the Catastrophe: Mass Evacuations and Military Mobilization
Foreshadowing the storm's severity, the Vietnamese government enacted one of the largest pre-emptive disaster response measures of the season. Heeding lessons from past storms, authorities successfully ordered the evacuation of over 537,000 people from high-risk coastal areas, low-lying villages, and unstable riverbanks. This monumental logistical effort is credited with significantly reducing the potential death toll, preventing a far greater human tragedy.
In the aftermath, the government has mobilized a massive relief force. More than 268,000 soldiers, alongside police and local emergency responders, have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations, clearing debris, and delivering essential aid including food, clean water, and temporary shelter to the displaced and affected communities.
The Lingering Danger: Floods and Landslides Loom
While Typhoon Kalmaegi has since weakened into a tropical depression and moved inland toward Southern Laos and Northeast Thailand, the crisis for central Vietnam is far from over. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has issued severe weather warnings for the coming days.
Persistent Heavy Rain: Provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri are expected to receive up to 200 millimeters (8 inches) of additional rainfall. This continuous deluge falls upon ground already saturated from previous storms, dramatically increasing the risk of severe flash flooding.
High Risk of Landslides: Mountainous and hilly areas, particularly those scarred by deforestation, are at extreme risk of landslides. These can isolate communities, block crucial relief routes, and cause further casualties with little warning.
Agricultural Threat: The flooding poses a significant threat to the Central Highlands, the heartland of Vietnam's lucrative coffee industry. Inundated fields could lead to substantial crop losses, impacting both the national economy and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Echoes of a Preceding Tragedy: Kalmaegi's Path Through the Philippines
The devastation in Vietnam follows one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the Philippines this year. Before it was known as Kalmaegi in Vietnam, the same storm system dubbed Typhoon Uwan locally caused catastrophic loss of life.
Philippines Death Toll: The official death toll in the Philippines has tragically climbed to at least 188 people, with 135 individuals still missing. The majority of these deaths occurred in the central province of Cebu, where overwhelming and sudden flash floods swept through communities, catching many residents off guard.
National Calamity Declaration: In response to the scale of the destruction, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national calamity. This declaration is crucial for speeding up the release and disbursement of emergency funds and international aid to the most devastated areas, facilitating a faster, though immensely challenging, recovery.
The Science of the Storm: Typhoon Kalmaegi's Timeline and Intensity
Understanding the lifecycle of Typhoon Kalmaegi helps contextualize its impact. The storm followed a classic Western Pacific track, gaining energy from warm ocean waters.
- Formation: The system originated as a tropical depression in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines.
- Rapid Intensification: Favorable atmospheric conditions allowed it to quickly intensify into a typhoon, designated as "Kalmaegi" by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
- First Landfall (Philippines): The typhoon, known locally as Uwan, made its first landfall in the central Philippines, where its slow movement and intense rainfall caused catastrophic flash flooding, particularly in Cebu.
- Second Landfall (Vietnam): After crossing the Philippines, Kalmaegi emerged over the East Sea (South China Sea), maintaining typhoon strength before making its second landfall in central Vietnam on the evening of November 6.
- Weakening and Dissipation: The storm's interaction with land caused it to rapidly weaken into a tropical depression as it moved inland over Laos and Thailand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Typhoon Kalmaegi
This section directly answers the most common queries users are typing into search engines.
What is the current status of the missing fishermen from Quang Ngai?
A: As of the latest reports, the three fishermen from Quang Ngai remain missing. Active search and rescue operations are ongoing but are being conducted intermittently due to dangerous sea conditions and persistent poor weather. Updates are provided by the Vietnamese Coast Guard and local authorities.
How does Typhoon Kalmaegi compare to other major storms like Typhoon Damrey or Molave?
A: While every storm is unique, Kalmaegi's impact is significant, particularly due to the compounding effect of hitting a region already vulnerable from recent floods. In terms of wind speed, it was likely less intense than Typhoon Molave (2020), a much stronger system. However, its major threat lies in the enormous volume of rainfall, similar to the flooding caused by Typhoon Damrey (2017). The true scale of damage will become clearer after full damage assessments.
Which specific areas in central Vietnam are now at the highest risk for landslides?
A: The provinces with the highest landslide risk are typically those with steep terrain and saturated soil. Authorities have issued specific warnings for districts in the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and the mountainous areas of the Central Highlands like Kon Tum and Gia Lai. Residents in these areas have been urged to evacuate if advised.
I have family in the affected area. How can I check on them?
A: The most reliable method is to contact the Vietnamese Fatherland Front Committee or the local People's Committee of the specific province or district. They often have lists of evacuees in shelters. Social media groups dedicated to the specific localities have also become vital communication hubs for families to connect and share information.
Conclusion: A Region Bracing for Recovery and Further Challenges
Typhoon Kalmaegi has underscored the relentless vulnerability of Southeast Asia to intensifying tropical weather systems. For Vietnam, the immediate focus remains a dual mission: continuing urgent search-and-rescue operations while simultaneously managing the secondary, yet equally dangerous, threats of flooding and landslides. The heroic pre-emptive evacuations saved countless lives, but the road to recovery for central Vietnam will be long and arduous, compounded by the damage to homes, infrastructure, and key agricultural sectors. As the nation rallies, the tragic shadow of the storm's impact in the Philippines serves as a sobering reminder of nature's destructive power and the critical importance of robust disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
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