Washington(The COW News Digital)A powerful tropical storm, identified as Typhoon Kalmigi, has made landfall along Vietnam’s central and coastal regions, leading to a nationwide emergency response. The storm had already caused extensive destruction in the Philippines before moving westward into Vietnam, where authorities are now bracing for further damage.
According to state media, the cyclone brought wind speeds reaching up to 92 miles (149 kilometers) per hour, uprooting trees, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting power supply in several areas. The Vietnamese government has deployed more than 260,000 military personnel to support rescue, evacuation, and relief operations across the affected provinces.
In a major precautionary move, six major airports across the country have been closed, resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations and transportation delays. Officials warned that air travel disruptions could continue for several days, depending on the storm’s movement and impact.
Vietnam, which has already been dealing with record monsoon rains and flooding this year, now faces one of Asia’s strongest storms of the season. The Ministry of Environment reported that the typhoon swept into Dak Lak and Gia Lai provinces, triggering intense rainfall and widespread flooding.
The national weather agency has issued high-level alerts for at least seven provinces and major urban areas, warning of the likelihood of flash floods, overflowing rivers, and dangerous landslides in mountainous regions within the next six hours. Several towns in Dak Lak province have already reported homes collapsing or being submerged, with residents urgently requesting assistance.
In Quy Nhon, fallen trees blocked major highways and destroyed roadside structures, while in coastal districts, strong waves shattered the glass windows of hotels and residential buildings. Rescue units are currently working to reopen access roads and restore communications where possible.
Experts caution that the typhoon may generate waves as high as 8 meters (26 feet) in the South China Sea, posing a severe threat to fishing vessels, ports, and low-lying coastal settlements. Maritime warnings have been issued, and authorities have ordered fishing fleets to return to shore.
Government officials have urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel, remain indoors, and strictly follow emergency instructions. Relief agencies and disaster management units are setting up temporary shelters and medical aid stations for displaced families.
As weather monitoring teams continue to track the storm’s path, authorities emphasize that the next 24 hours will be critical in determining the scale of the humanitarian and financial impact.
