The powerful typhoon Kalmaegi has left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, resulting in at least 114 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure. As it made its way towards Vietnam, packing winds of up to 149 km/h, the storm has already prompted significant safety measures, including the evacuation of over 260,000 residents in Gia Lai Province.
In the Philippines, the aftermath of Kalmaegi has revealed a grim picture as floodwaters receded in Cebu, the province hardest hit by the storm. Residents are confronting flattened homes, overturned vehicles, and streets littered with debris. As of late September 28, 127 people remain unaccounted for, complicating relief efforts.
Raffy Alejandro, a senior civil defence official, highlighted the urgent need for debris clearing to facilitate aid distribution and locate missing individuals. “The challenge now is debris clearing. These need to be cleared immediately, not only to account for the missing… but also to allow relief operations to move forward,” he stated during an interview with DZBB radio.
The devastation in Cebu comes on the heels of a recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the region, causing additional hardship for the already beleaguered residents. Some individuals have returned to find their homes completely destroyed. Liza Becus, a local resident, recounted her experience: “Everything was destroyed. Only the flooring remained. Everything was washed out. We have no belongings.” She described the struggle to support her seven children amidst the ruins of her home.
As Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam, government officials reported that the storm is the 13th to impact the country this year and one of the most powerful. The Vietnamese government has placed over 268,000 soldiers on standby for search and rescue operations, anticipating severe flooding in low-lying areas and adverse effects on agriculture, particularly in the Central Highlands, known for coffee production.
In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, hotels and homes along Cua Dai beach near the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An were shuttered. Residents in the coastal city of Hue are still recovering from recent flooding that resulted in 47 fatalities earlier in the week, raising concerns about the compounded impact of Kalmaegi.
Farmers like Nguyen Van Rin, 42, expressed their fears as the storm approached. “Kalmaegi will flood us for the fourth time and I am afraid it will be quite bad,” he shared while navigating a flooded road in his boat. The situation underscores the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by communities in the region as they brace for another natural disaster.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring a developing storm east of Mindanao in the Philippines, which could strengthen and pose further threats to the already impacted areas early next week. The unfolding situation highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparedness as communities seek to recover from the devastating effects of Kalmaegi.
