Typhoon Kalmaegi kills 188 in Philippines, strikes central Vietnam

Typhoon Kalmaegi has left 188 people dead and 135 missing in the Philippines as of Friday morning, according to the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. 

Flooding occurred in 123 areas nationwide, while more than 9,500 houses were damaged, China Media Group reported. A total of 81 public facilities, including hospitals and schools, also suffered damage. Power supply was affected in 162 towns, communications were affected in 22 towns, classes were suspended in 707 towns, and work was suspended in 483 towns. Agricultural losses have exceeded 10 million Philippine Pesos (about $169,260).

Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in the Philippines early on Tuesday. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos declared a nationwide state of calamity on Thursday.

The typhoon made landfall in central Vietnam on Thursday evening, causing widespread destruction. In Dak Lak Province, Kalmaegi brought down houses and left one person dead.

In central Vietnam, Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least five people dead and six others injured, local daily Lao Dong reported on Friday. Three fatalities occurred in Dak Lak Province and two in Gia Lai Province. Preliminary reports from local authorities indicate that 52 houses collapsed and 2,593 others were damaged across the region. Local authorities continue to assess the damage and carry out recovery efforts.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said the typhoon weakened into a tropical depression early on Friday morning before further dissipating into a low-pressure area over southern Laos.

(With input from Xinhua)