An unusually powerful late-season typhoon has killed at least two people, forced the evacuation of over half a million, and caused widespread damage across central Vietnam, with meteorologists citing the storm as a potential sign of climate change.
Typhoon Kalmaegi brought sustained winds of 183 kilometers per hour (113.7 mph) and gusts up to 220 kilometers per hour (136.7 mph) as it moved from the South China Sea into mainland Vietnam. The storm’s arrival in November is considered unusually severe for this time of year by Vietnam’s Ministry of Environment.
Two fatalities were reported in the provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak. Authorities initiated urgent evacuations for more than 537,000 residents from high-risk areas, with boats used in some villages where heavy rainfall caused rapid floodwater surges.
The typhoon exacerbated already dire flooding in central Vietnam, which had experienced record heavy rainfall before Kalmaegi made landfall. This continuous downpour has led to significantly increased water levels in affected regions.
Meteorologists attribute the severity and late timing of Typhoon Kalmaegi to climate change abnormalities, specifically citing higher sea surface temperatures in the Western Pacific Ocean. Experts warn this trend could lead to more frequent and intense storms in the region in the future.
The typhoon caused widespread destruction, uprooting trees and damaging buildings across numerous locations. Waves exceeding 3 meters (9.8 feet) crashed onto the coast in the tourist city of Da Nang.
In Dak Lak province, many large trees were toppled, causing significant property damage. The coastal city of Quy Nhon experienced several hours of power outages after the typhoon battered the area overnight.
Forecasts indicate that Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to deliver an additional 60 centimeters (23.6 inches) of rain in some areas over the upcoming weekend, threatening to worsen existing flood conditions.