Typhoon Kalmaegi Wreaks Havoc Across Southeast Asia

Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Typhoon Tino, has left a trail of devastation across Southeast Asia, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. The storm's impact has been particularly severe in the Philippines and Vietnam, where communities are grappling with the aftermath and questioning the adequacy of disaster preparedness measures.

The typhoon formed on October 31, 2025, and made its first landfall in the central Philippines on November 4. With sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h, Kalmaegi caused catastrophic flooding and destruction, especially in Cebu province. The Philippine Office of Civil Defense reported at least 204 fatalities and 109 individuals missing, with more than half a million people displaced. Nearly 450,000 were evacuated to shelters, and over 318,000 remained there as of Thursday.

The devastation was exacerbated 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. The government has initiated inquiries, and an independent commission recommended criminal charges against high-ranking officials, yet no one has been jailed, sparking public frustration.

After impacting the Philippines, Kalmaegi intensified over the South China Sea, reaching sustained winds of approximately 183 km/h with gusts up to 220 km/h. The typhoon made landfall in central Vietnam on November 6, producing waves as high as 10 meters and causing widespread damage. More than 7,000 people were evacuated in Gia Lai province, and authorities warned of severe flooding risks in low-lying areas, including Ho Chi Minh City.

In Vietnam, more than 260,000 people were evacuated from provinces such as Gia Lai and Quang Ngai ahead of the storm. The typhoon's arrival came close on the heels of lingering damage from Super Typhoon Ragasa (September 25) and Typhoons Bualoi (September 29) and Matmo (October 6), and it brought torrential rains and destructive floods that left roughly 1.28 million households without electricity. News outlets reported that Kalmaegi had killed five people in Vietnam by November 7 and that dozens of homes had collapsed from wind and rain damage, with the roofs of nearly 3,000 others having been torn away.

The storm continued to affect neighboring countries, including Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, with heavy rainfall and strong winds leading to further evacuations and damage. The Thai Meteorological Department issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rain in several regions, advising caution due to potential flash floods and landslides.

Typhoon Kalmaegi's devastation has highlighted the vulnerability of Southeast Asian nations to severe weather events and underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. The failure of flood-control infrastructure in the Philippines, attributed to corruption, has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability. Civil society groups plan a major protest on November 30, following a mass demonstration in September. Critics argue the administration's efforts have been too slow, and there is fear that future disasters—with another supertyphoon looming—may increase casualties and unrest. Political analysts warn that unresolved corruption could lead to wider mass movements akin to historic protests in the Philippines.

The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and storms each year and is among the world's most disaster-prone countries. Vietnam, which is hit by around a dozen storms annually, has endured a relentless series this year. Typhoon Ragasa dumped torrential rain in late September, followed by Typhoon Bualoi and Typhoon Matmo, which together left more than 85 people dead or missing and caused an estimated $1.36 billion in damage. Scientists warn that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making floods and typhoons increasingly destructive and frequent.

Typhoon Kalmaegi stands as a stark reminder of the devastating power of nature and the critical importance of effective governance, infrastructure, and regional cooperation in mitigating the impacts of such disasters.