In brief
Typhoon Kalmaegi has hit Vietnam, following its deadly path across the Philippines, where it has claimed at least 114 lives and forced tens of thousands to evacuate. With over 260,000 military personnel deployed for rescue efforts, the typhoon is expected to generate extremely dangerous conditions, including waves up to 26 feet and potential flooding across multiple provinces in Vietnam.
Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in Vietnam on Thursday after killing at least 114 people and flooding entire towns in the Philippines. More than 260,000 soldiers are on standby for rescue efforts as winds of up to 92mph (149km/h) hit the country's coastline, according to Vietnamese media and the government's online portal.
Six airports in the country have been forced to close, and hundreds of flights are expected to be affected. The country, which has already been battling record rains and floods, is now facing one of Asia's strongest typhoons this year.
The typhoon could generate waves of up to 8m (26ft) on the South China Sea, according to Vietnam's weather bureau. The country's environment ministry said on Thursday that the storm is on land, in the provinces of Dak Lak and Gia Lai in a statement quoted by various outlets, including the AFP news agency.
The Vietnamese national weather forecaster warns that hundreds of localities in seven cities and provinces are at risk of flooding and landslides in the next six hours. Reports indicate damage in several provinces, including roofs torn off homes, shattered glass panels at hotels, and trees uprooted or snapped along streets and rural roads by powerful gusts.
In the Quy Non area, trees have fallen on main roads, and windows in hotels have been smashed. The typhoon made landfall at 19:29 local time (12:29 GMT). Approximately 30 minutes later, hundreds of residents in two communes of Dak Lak province called for help.
Many people reported that their homes had collapsed or were flooded as strong winds and heavy rain continued to batter the area. Dak Lak province is approximately 350km (215 miles) north-east of Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam's military has deployed more than 260,000 soldiers and personnel, along with over 6,700 vehicles and equipment, including six aircraft, to assist with storm relief efforts. Authorities are conducting house-to-house warnings for evacuations in vulnerable coastal communities.
The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, held an emergency online meeting directing the response efforts, stressing that no local should be left without food, water, and supplies.
Prior to its landfall, Kalmaegi wreaked havoc in the Philippines, prompting a state of emergency declaration from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr after the storm led to extensive casualties and the disruption of lives.
As Vietnam braces for worsening conditions, alerts extend to neighboring Thailand, where officials are foreseeing risks of flash floods and landslides due to the impending storm.
