By 
07-11-2025
Miriam Schanz
Asia Team Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Typhoon Kalmaegi hit Vietnam with devastating effects, with hundreds missing and a death toll of 40 and still rising. After the Philippines, the Typhoon hit Vietnam, slamming into its central and highland provinces, causing large-scale flooding in several cities. Dak Lak, Quang Ngai, and Gia Lai were some of the provinces hardest hit. Devastation included collapsed houses, roofs ripped off, as well as sunk boats and drowned power lines country wide. Furthermore, over 1 million households remain without power, and 268,000 soldiers have been mobilised for search and rescue operations.
Typhoon Kalmaeigi is the 13th typhoon to form in the South China Sea this year. Due to its geographical proximity to the Pacific typhoon belt and topography, Vietnam is extremely vulnerable to tropical storms and typhoons, regularly experiencing damage and casualties during peak storm seasons. However, experts say the situation is worsening due to climate change and mass urbanisation. Climate studies suggest that, while fewer tropical cyclones and typhoons may occur, they will likely be more intense, with heavier bursts of rain, due to a warmer atmosphere holding more moisture. This also means increased risks of flash floods, particularly in densely populated urban regions. Furthermore, rising sea levels are putting further pressure on coastal regions and communities.
Making climate-related adaptations is expensive, and wealthier countries have consistently failed to meet the goals of promoting climate funding and investments for developing and affected countries, such as Vietnam. In 2021, many countries pledged to double their adaptation financing by 2025. According to the United Nations; however, the opposite has occurred, with the figure falling. This is yet another case of a developing country facing the consequences of climate change, despite having a limited role in contributing to the issue.
