Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Central Philippines, Strikes Vietnam — Nearly 200 Dead; Fung‑Wong Looms

Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Central Philippines, Strikes Vietnam

Typhoon Kalmaegi carved a destructive path across the central Philippines before moving into Vietnam this week, uprooting trees, ripping roofs from homes and striking an area already saturated by record rains. Philippine authorities say the storm has killed nearly 200 people, with the worst losses concentrated in Cebu province.

Rapid flooding and human toll

The cyclone struck central Philippines on Tuesday, flattening neighborhoods and displacing tens of thousands. Drone footage showed streets turned into rivers, submerged homes and overturned vehicles after some areas received more than a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours. Officials initially reported at least 188 fatalities; by late Thursday the toll had risen to nearly 200. At least 135 people remained missing and dozens more were injured, according to Philippine civil-defense officials.

"I was able to swim. I told my family to swim, you will be saved, just swim, be brave and keep swimming," said Jimmy Abatayo, who lost his wife and nine relatives in Cebu. He paused and then broke into tears.

Impact in Vietnam

As Kalmaegi approached Vietnam’s coast on Thursday it intensified, with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reporting maximum sustained winds near 125 mph. Torrential rains and damaging winds struck regions that had already been battered by earlier floods. Vietnamese state media reported collapsed houses, roofs torn off, uprooted trees and more than 1 million people without power. Dak Lak province recorded about 354 mm (roughly 1 foot) of rain in around six hours.

Vietnamese authorities reported at least five deaths and seven injuries. One person died when a house collapsed, and three people were reported missing after being swept out to sea near Ly Son island in Quang Ngai province. More than 500,000 people were evacuated, many moved by boat, as emergency teams worked to relocate vulnerable communities.

Storm weakening inland but risks remain

By Friday Kalmaegi had weakened into a tropical depression as it moved inland toward northern Cambodia and Laos, the Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said. Despite the downgrade, strong winds and continued heavy rains raised the risk of flash floods and landslides across central Vietnam over the weekend.

Underlying factors and future threats

Officials and scientists pointed to several factors that worsened the disaster: clogged waterways and inadequate drainage in flood-prone areas, rugged terrain that funnels runoff into settlements, and gaps in translating early warnings into protective action. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, urged improvements to warning systems and reinforced infrastructure.

The region has also been grappling with governance issues: a high-profile corruption scandal alleged that funds for flood-control projects were diverted, undermining preparedness in some communities. Meanwhile, scientists say warmer oceans and a human-driven climate crisis are increasing storm intensity and rainfall, supplying more energy and moisture to tropical systems.

What’s next

Another typhoon, Fung‑Wong (locally Uwan), was moving toward the northern Philippines, posing fresh threats of storm surge, flooding and damage. Authorities in both countries remain on alert as recovery and search operations continue.

Sources: Reports from the Philippine Office of Civil Defense, Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, NOAA, the Associated Press, Reuters and local Vietnamese and Philippine media.