HANOI, November 2025 —** Extreme weather events continue to pose significant challenges to vital transportation networks across Asia, with Vietnam's critical North-South railway line recently experiencing substantial disruption due to Typhoon Kalmaegi.

The typhoon, which made landfall on November 6, 2025, brought torrential rains and flooding that severely damaged sections of the track foundation in the central provinces of Dak Lak and Gia Lai. This damage led to the immediate halt of the North-South railway service. Approximately 1,500 passengers were affected, with arrangements made for their transfer via coach or full refunds. The typhoon also resulted in at least five fatalities and seven injuries, alongside widespread power outages and broader infrastructure damage.

The halt in service has significant implications for passenger and freight movement along Vietnam's primary rail corridor, potentially impacting supply chains and economic activity. Such events underscore the vulnerability of existing rail infrastructure to increasingly severe weather patterns and highlight the need for robust disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies within the railway sector.

Railway authorities are actively engaged in repair work to restore service as quickly as possible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing costs associated with natural disasters on transportation systems.

As Southeast Asia faces a growing threat from climate change-induced extreme weather, events like the disruption caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi emphasize the urgent need for investment in resilient infrastructure and advanced weather monitoring systems to safeguard critical rail networks and ensure their continued operation.

Source: The Star