Typhoon Kalmaegi Devastates Central Vietnam with High Casualties and Destruction

Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to form in the East Sea in 2025, made landfall in central Vietnam on November 6, bringing destructive winds and heavy rainfall that resulted in significant casualties and widespread damage.

The storm struck the provinces of Gia Lai and Đắk Lắk with wind speeds reaching up to 149 kilometers per hour. At least five people were reported dead, with additional injuries and missing persons. The typhoon caused the collapse of 52 houses and damage to nearly 2,600 others. Widespread power outages affected over 1.3 million households. Prior to its arrival, authorities evacuated thousands of residents from vulnerable areas and suspended operations at six airports in central Vietnam. The typhoon's impact was compounded by preceding heavy rains, leading to severe flooding and landslides in the region.

Typhoon Kalmaegi originated in the western Pacific Ocean and intensified rapidly as it approached Southeast Asia. Before reaching Vietnam, the typhoon had already caused significant devastation in the Philippines, resulting in at least 142 fatalities and leaving 127 people missing. The storm's rapid intensification was attributed to warm sea surface temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions.

In anticipation of the typhoon, the Vietnamese government mobilized over 260,000 soldiers and personnel, along with 6,700 vehicles and six aircraft, for relief operations. The general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, cut short a meeting of the party's Central Committee to allow officials to return to affected regions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment estimated the damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi at approximately 7.05 trillion dong (US$268 million) as of November 7, 2025. The storm disrupted supply chains, particularly affecting import/export logistics due to airport closures and customs standstills. Operations at major airports were suspended for up to 36 hours, creating a backlog that impacted trade routes and supply chains connected to Japanese, EU, and US markets.

Vietnam is one of the most flood-prone countries globally and faces increasing risks from climate change, with scientists warning of intensifying storms and rainfall in Southeast Asia. The country has experienced a series of recent typhoons, including Ragasa, Bualoi, and Matmo, which collectively left over 85 people dead or missing and caused $1.36 billion in damage.

The impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and climate resilience strategies in Vietnam. The government and international community must collaborate to address the challenges posed by increasingly severe weather events.