Vietnam is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon Kalmaegi after the powerful storm killed at least 66 people and caused widespread destruction in the central Philippines.
Another 26 people were still missing on Wednesday following widespread flooding that trapped people on their roofs and swept away scores of cars in a hard-hit province still recovering from a recent deadly earthquake.
Kalmaegi blew away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea before noon on Wednesday with sustained winds of up to 130kmph and gusts of up to 180kmph, according to forecasters.
Before Kalmaegi's landfall, officials said more than 387,000 people had evacuated to safer ground in eastern and central Philippine provinces. Authorities had warned of torrential rains, potentially destructive winds and storm surges of up to 10ft.
At least 49 people mostly drowned in floods, and others died due to landslides and falling debris in Cebu, where 13 of the 26 missing were reported, Filipino officials said.
Central Vietnam, still reeling from days of record rain that triggered flash floods and landslides, was bracing for more pounding rain as Kalmaegi nears. The typhoon is estimated to reach Vietnam's coast on Friday morning.
Key Points
- Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves over 60 dead in Philippines
- 40 dead in Vietnam floods as country braces for another typhoon
- Typhoon Kalmaegi mapped: Storm's route from central Philippines to Vietnam landfall
- State of calamity declared in Cebu province
- Thailand on high alert for 'heavy to very heavy' rain
- New cyclone approaching the Philippines
Typhoon Kalmaegi intensifies over South China Sea
10:14 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTyphoon Kalmaegi has continued to intensify as it moved over the South China Sea, east-northeast of the Kalayaan Islands, the weather agency in the Philippines said today.
It placed the typhoon’s centre 330km east-northeast of Pag-asa Island, and said it was packing maximum sustained winds of 140kmph near the centre with gusts of up to 170kmph.
New cyclone approaching the Philippines
09:44 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA new tropical cyclone is forecast to enter the Philippines later this week, which could reach the category of super typhoon, the country's weather agency has warned.
The tropical cyclone is expected to rapidly intensify and may reach typhoon category on Friday and super typhoon category on Saturday, the weather agency said.
"It may also make landfall at or near its peak lifetime intensity," it added.
Thousands evacuated from Philippines as deadly tropical storm hits
09:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTyphoon Kalmaegi mapped: Vietnam landfall forecast for Friday morning
08:59 , Adam WithnallAccording to the latest trajectory released by the Philippine weather agency PAGASA, Typhoon Kalmaegi – known locally as Tino – is due to hit Vietnam between 8pm on Thursday and 8am Friday morning.
The storm is expected to remain at typhoon strength throughout its passage across the South China Sea and is actually gaining some strength, with gusts reaching 180kmph on Wednesday.
Vietnam is already experiencing flooding that has killed 40 people in recent days, and forecasters say Kalmaegi could be packing sustained winds of up to 166kmph when it slams into the coast on Friday.
US envoy to Philippines offers condolences for typhoon deaths
08:23 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, has offered her condolences to those impacted by the storm.
"My heart goes out to everyone affected by Typhoon [Kalmaegi's] devastation. We extend our condolences to the friends and families of those who perished and salute the brave first responders on the scene.
"Working with our friends, partners, allies, the United States stands ready to assist," she said in a post on X.
Flooding in Vietnam kills 40 as Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches
08:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Philippines reports damage to airports struck by Typhoon Kalmaegi
08:01 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe civil aviation authorities in the Philippines said some damage was reported at airports in areas struck by Typhoon Kalmaegi.
Several airports experienced minor structural impacts, but no major infrastructure damage or aviation-related incidents were reported, the authorities said this morning, based on an initial assessment.
“We have already deployed our personnel on the ground to assess any damaged facilities and ensure immediate repair actions. We are also closely coordinating with our area managers for timely updates and swift response,” said Lt Gen Raul Del Rosario, the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Storm surge warning for today
07:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Thailand on high alert for 'heavy to very heavy' rain
07:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThailand's weather agency has issued an advisory for the northern, eastern and central parts of the country as Typhoon Kalmaegi crossed the South China Sea after leaving widespread destruction in the Philippines.
The weather agency warned that Kalmaegi will bring "heavy to very heavy" rain on Friday and into the weekend, which could cause flash floods, landslides and river overflows.
Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed all provincial governors and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to closely monitor the typhoon and ordered all local authorities to speed up flood water drainage.
Governors of all 76 provinces have been tasked with ensuring that flood-prone areas, especially in Bangkok, are prepared for heavy rain and the possibility of flooding.
Authorities have been urged to undertake urgent measures, which include clearing drainage systems, securing advertising signs, and ensuring that public infrastructure are stable in an effort to prevent accidents.
Watch: Cars swept away during floods triggered by Typhoon Kalmaegi
06:55 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPhilippine air force helicopter crashes on way to help flood victims
06:54 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAt least six people died when a Philippine air force helicopter crashed in the southern province of Agusan del Sur yesterday while en route to help provinces battered by Typhoon Kalmaegi.
The air force this morning confirmed that the remains of six personnel have been recovered from the site of the crash. The identities of those killed are being withheld until after their next of kin have been informed.
The Super Huey chopper was one of four dispatched to assess the impact of the typhoon as part of a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response mission.
The aircraft reportedly encountered communication problems before it went down in Agusan del Sur.
Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves behind a trail of destruction in Cebu
06:32 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The Philippines declares state of calamity
06:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFilipino authorities have declared a state of calamity in Cebu province, which has recorded the largest number of fatalities due to Typhoon Kalmaegi.
The bustling province of more than 2.4 million people declared a state of calamity to allow authorities to disburse emergency funds more rapidly to deal with the latest natural disaster.
Cebu was still recovering from a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on 30 September that left at least 79 people dead and displaced thousands when houses collapsed or were severely damaged.
The province has accounted for 49 of the 66 fatalities from Kalmaegi so far, civil defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said in an interview with local radio outlet DZMM.
"It was the major cities that got hit (with floods), highly urbanised areas," Mr Alejandro said.
40 dead in Vietnam floods as country braces for another typhoon
06:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTyphoon Kalmaegi has slightly intensified on its way to Vietnam, where preparations are underway ahead of the expected landfall on Friday morning.
Vietnam is reeling from the record rainfall, which triggered massive flooding, killing at least 40 people.
The deaths were recorded in Hue, Da Nang, Lam Don,g and Quang Tri provinces, according to an update from the environment ministry's disaster management agency, which said six people remained missing.
Vietnam's weather agency has warned that the typhoon could hit the country's coast with winds of up to 166kmph.
"It's exhausting," said Tran Thi Ky from the city of Hoi An. "We are tired of flooding, but what can we do," the 57-year-old told AFP, after her home was flooded three times in less than 10 days.
"We brought all our furniture to high ground but they are all wet anyway."
Typhoon Kalmaegi leaves over 60 dead in Philippines
06:04 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTyphoon Kalmaegi has left at least 66 people dead with several others missing in the central Philippines, mostly in widespread flooding that trapped people on their roofs in the hardest-hit province of Cebu.
Cebu accounted for 49 of the fatalities, civil defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said in an interview with local radio outlet DZMM, according to reports.
"It was the major cities that got hit (with floods), highly urbanised areas," Mr Alejandro said, according to Barrons, as he confirmed the toll.
Kalmaegi was last spotted early on Wednesday over the coastal waters of Linapacan in the western island province of Palawan with sustained winds of 120kph (75mph) and gusts of up to 150kph (93mph). It was forecast to blow away into the South China Sea later on Wednesday.
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