Typhoon Kalmaegi Brings Devastation to Southeast Asia, Highlights Infrastructure Failures

Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Typhoon Tino, has left a trail of devastation across Southeast Asia, particularly impacting the Philippines and Vietnam. The storm's ferocity has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of communities, and extensive damage to infrastructure.

In the Philippines, Kalmaegi made multiple landfalls between November 4 and 5, 2025, with the central province of Cebu bearing the brunt of the storm. Flash floods submerged homes, forcing residents to seek refuge on rooftops. The national civil defense office confirmed at least 114 deaths, with an additional 28 fatalities reported by Cebu provincial authorities, bringing the total to at least 142. Additionally, 127 people were reported missing, and over 500,000 individuals were displaced. The province declared a state of calamity due to the extensive damage.

The storm's impact was compounded by the failure of flood-control infrastructure, which officials and citizens attribute to widespread corruption. Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro criticized the inefficacy of ₱26 billion in flood-control funds, uncovering "ghost" and substandard projects. Investigations have revealed that many public works, promised since 2016, were either unfinished or improperly executed, allegedly due to kickbacks and overpricing.

After regaining strength over the South China Sea, Kalmaegi made landfall in central Vietnam on November 6. The storm brought fierce winds and torrential rains, leading to at least five deaths and widespread damage across the country's central provinces. Authorities evacuated more than 537,000 people as floodwaters rose and landslides loomed. The typhoon's arrival compounded the region's challenges, as central Vietnam was already reeling from days of flooding caused by record-breaking rainfall.

Vietnamese authorities deployed over 268,000 soldiers for rescue operations and evacuated more than 537,000 residents ahead of the storm. The government also closed six airports, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, and warned of potential flooding in major cities, including Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

Typhoon Kalmaegi is the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea in 2025, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the region. The storm's rapid intensification and the extensive damage it caused underscore the vulnerability of Southeast Asian nations to powerful tropical cyclones. The impact of Kalmaegi has raised concerns about the adequacy of existing infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures in the region.

The devastation wrought by Typhoon Kalmaegi has had profound social and economic implications. In the Philippines, the failure of flood-control infrastructure has been attributed to widespread corruption, leading to public outrage and planned protests. The economic losses are substantial, with significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and agriculture. In Vietnam, the storm's impact on the Central Highlands, the country's primary coffee-growing area, could have long-term economic repercussions.

Typhoon Kalmaegi's devastation across Southeast Asia serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to natural disasters. The storm has not only caused significant loss of life and property but also exposed systemic issues in disaster preparedness and infrastructure integrity. Addressing these challenges is crucial to mitigating the impact of future typhoons.