The storm, which has already claimed over 140 lives in the Philippines, struck north of Gia Lai province, unleashing winds of up to 155 kilometers per hour (96 mph) and sheets of rain that have caused power outages and widespread damage across several provinces.

Kalmaegi’s arrival has compounded an already dire situation for central Vietnam, where record breaking rainfall this month has caused deadly floods and landslides, killing at least 47 people and destroying farmland, bridges, and hundreds of homes.

Meteorologists from Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting have warned that some areas could see up to 24 inches (600 mm) of additional rain in the coming days, particularly in the highlands and along coastal provinces such as Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Thua Thien-Hue.

“The soil is already saturated, rivers are overflowing, and another major storm is the last thing farmers need right now,” said Tran Van Minh, a rice grower from Quang Ngai province. “Many of us have lost this year’s harvest, and our homes are still under water.”

Authorities have ordered mass evacuations in vulnerable areas, including parts of Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, where flash flood warnings have been issued. Emergency teams are working to restore electricity and clear blocked roads, while the government has deployed military units to assist with rescue operations.

Photos and videos shared on Vietnamese social media show uprooted trees, collapsed roofs, and submerged vehicles, as residents brace for more rainfall over the weekend.

The government has urged residents to remain indoors and to stay alert for landslides in mountainous regions, which have already seen multiple fatalities in recent weeks.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that the storms could cost Vietnam tens of millions of dollars in crop losses and infrastructure damage, further straining local economies that depend heavily on agriculture and fisheries.

Kalmaegi is the fifth major tropical cyclone to hit Vietnam this year, raising concerns about the intensifying impact of climate change on the region’s weather patterns.

New Zealand’s Air Force has successfully evacuated three individuals from the United States’ McMurdo Station in Antarctica in a daring high-risk operation carried out under extreme weather conditions and total darkness.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) confirmed on Wednesday that the mission took place on Tuesday, involving a specialized C-130 Hercules aircraft. The flight was launched in response to an urgent medical emergency at the U.S. research base, one of the most remote and inhospitable locations on Earth.

“One individual required urgent medical care, while two others also needed medical attention,” the RNZAF said in a statement. “All three were successfully evacuated and transported to New Zealand for treatment.”

Due to the Antarctic winter, the rescue was carried out in complete darkness and freezing temperatures, with crew members operating in hazardous conditions and limited visibility. Flights to the continent are rare during this season, often requiring months of planning but in this case, speed was critical.

RNZAF air crews were aided by the United States Antarctic Program and medical staff at McMurdo Station to stabilize the patients before departure.

McMurdo Station is the largest research facility in Antarctica, home to scientists and support staff conducting year-round research in extreme conditions. Emergency evacuations from the base during the Antarctic winter are extremely rare and logistically complex due to limited flight windows and harsh environmental challenges.

This successful mission follows a legacy of close cooperation between the U.S. and New Zealand in Antarctic operations.