Deadly Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Philippines and Heads Towards Vietnam
Typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction in its wake, claiming as many as 140 lives in the Philippines, with 127 others still missing. As the island nation grapples with the aftermath of the disaster, the powerful storm has regained strength and is now bearing down on Vietnam.
Background and Context
Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into the Philippines with devastating force, bringing heavy rains and high winds that triggered flash floods, and swept away cars and shipping containers. The island of Cebu in the central Philippines was particularly hard hit, with some of its worst floods in decades. This comes as the region was already recovering from a recent deadly earthquake, exacerbating the impact of the disaster.
Key Developments
The death toll has steadily risen since the typhoon struck, with reports ranging from 66 fatalities initially, to over 100, and now as high as 140 according to some sources. The majority of the victims were from Cebu, which received more than a month’s worth of rainfall. The deaths were mostly due to drowning in flash floods, and many of the missing are feared to have suffered the same fate.
In the aftermath of the disaster, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of emergency. The declaration was made during a meeting with disaster-response officials to assess the typhoon’s aftermath, which will allow the government to disburse emergency funds faster and prevent food hoarding.
Aerial images reveal the scale of the destruction, with entire communities engulfed and thousands of homes destroyed. The storm also forced residents to their rooftops, from where they had to be rescued.
Implications and Reactions
As the nation begins the arduous task of cleaning up and recovering from the disaster, the storm continues its path of destruction, now heading for Vietnam. Meteorologists have warned that the typhoon has regained strength as it barrels towards Vietnam's central regions.
Vietnam, still reeling from recent record rains that triggered flash floods and landslides, is bracing for more pounding rain as Kalmaegi nears. There are particular concerns for Ho Chi Minh city, which is at risk of severe flooding.
Current Status
Typhoon Kalmaegi left the Philippines on Thursday and is currently moving toward central Vietnam. With the storm's death toll still uncertain and dozens of people considered missing, the full extent of the disaster is yet to be revealed. In the meantime, the Philippines is left to mourn its dead and rebuild, even as another country braces for the typhoon's onslaught.