Disaster Response: Philippines Declares Emergency as Tropical Storm Kalmaegi Hits Vietnam, Heads for Thailand

Governments across Southeast Asia are grappling with the aftermath and ongoing threat posed by Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has now weakened to a tropical storm but continues its destructive path.

The crisis is most acute in the Philippines, where the typhoon has resulted in an official count of 188 people dead and 135 missing.

The grim toll led President Ferdinand Marcos Junior to declare a state of national emergency on Thursday, freeing up resources for aid and recovery. This declaration also prepares the nation for the imminent threat of a second, potentially powerful typhoon, which is currently forecast to slam into the Philippines\’ western coast by early next week.

After devastating the islands, the tropical storm continued westward, bringing torrential rains and fierce winds to central Vietnam on Friday. State media reported two storm-related deaths in Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces, alongside widespread reports of damaged infrastructure.

The storm is now tracking through Cambodia and is expected to move across Laos, eventually reaching north-east Thailand by the afternoon. Emergency services in all affected mainland nations remain on high alert as the system traverses the region, causing infrastructure damage and posing risks to public safety.