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.

The upgrade will raise ties to Vietnam’s top-tier “strategic comprehensive partnership,” placing the UK alongside a select group of countries that includes China, Russia, the United States, and France Vietnam’s former colonial ruler.

The decision reflects growing efforts by both nations to strengthen economic and security cooperation amid shifting global trade dynamics. The UK has been expanding its diplomatic footprint in Southeast Asia following its exit from the European Union, while Vietnam continues to diversify its foreign relations to balance major power influences.

The meeting between Starmer and To Lam is expected to cover trade, investment, climate collaboration, and regional security issues, including stability in the South China Sea. The upgrade comes as London seeks to bolster its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners under its “Global Britain” strategy.

No official statement has yet been released by either government, but both sides are expected to announce the formal elevation of ties following the meeting.