Typhoon Kalmaegi Kills Almost 200 In Philippines And The Vietnam

In the Philippines, Typhoon Kalmaegi has killed at least 188 people and five in Vietnam, according to the latest figures from the two countries.

Cambodia and Laos are the next destinations of this storm after it barrelled through central Vietnam on Thursday, with winds of up to 149km/h (92mph).

Towns along Vietnam’s central coast were littered with debris this morning after taking the full brunt of the storm overnight.

The strong winds uprooted trees, tore off roofs, and smashed large windows. Schools and other public buildings became shelters for thousands of people as the army was deployed to help deal with the damage.

Vietnamese authorities have warned of possible flooding in low-lying areas. Central Vietnam has already seen record rainfall in the past week, which has killed 50 people.

Earlier this week, the same storm devastated parts of the Philippines when heavy rainfall sent torrents of mud down hillsides and into residential areas. The fast-moving flash floods obliterated some poorer neighbourhoods.

The death toll reported on Friday was a jump from the 114 reported the previous day. Another 135 people are listed as missing.

As it prepares for another typhoon brewing in the Pacific Ocean, the Philippine government has declared a nationwide state of calamity.

Ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi, Vietnam’s military on Thursday deployed more than 260,000 soldiers and personnel for relief efforts, along with more than 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft.

Some airports and expressways in the country were closed, and hundreds of thousands were evacuated.

According to the local media, shortly after the typhoon made landfall at 19:29 local time (12:29 GMT), hundreds of residents in Dak Lak province called for help.

Dak Lak province is approximately 350km (215 miles) north-east of Ho Chi Minh City.

Many people said their homes had collapsed or been flooded, while strong winds and heavy rain continued to batter the area.