Vietnam is on high alert as Typhoon Kajiki, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, approaches the central coastline with destructive winds and heavy rainfall.

Evacuations and Closures

According to state media, more than 40,000 residents from low-lying coastal areas have already been evacuated, with plans in place to move nearly 587,000 people across Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang provinces if needed. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time for safety.

The government has closed schools, suspended flights, and shut down two provincial airports in anticipation of the storm. Businesses and households in coastal provinces have boarded up windows and reinforced buildings with sandbags as storm surges of up to 1.5 meters are forecast, pushing sea levels in some areas above 3.5 meters.

Typhoon Kajiki’s Strength and Path

Kajiki, which battered China’s Hainan Island before entering the Gulf of Tonkin, is moving toward Vietnam with sustained winds of 166 km/h (103 mph) — the equivalent of a Category 2 Atlantic hurricane. It is expected to make landfall in Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces late Monday as either a weak typhoon or strong tropical storm.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has warned of the risk of flash floods, landslides, and widespread damage, particularly in low-lying regions. More than 300,000 military personnel have been mobilized, with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force on standby for rescue and relief operations.

Comparisons to Past Storms

Officials have compared Kajiki to Typhoon Yagi, which struck northern Vietnam last year as a Category 4 hurricane, leaving nearly 300 people dead and devastating farmland, factories, and infrastructure. While Kajiki is weaker, authorities warn it could still cause significant flooding and agricultural damage.

Regional Impact

Heavy rain from Kajiki is expected not only in Vietnam but also across Laos and Thailand, with some areas forecast to receive 200–400 millimeters of rainfall and isolated spots exceeding 600 mm.

In China’s Hainan Island, the resort city of Sanya issued a red alert on Sunday, shutting tourist attractions and suspending public transport. Videos circulating online showed fallen trees, damaged vehicles, and strong winds sweeping through the streets.

Looking Ahead

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts Kajiki will weaken rapidly once it moves inland, dropping to tropical depression strength by early Tuesday. However, the risk of flooding, landslides, and destruction of crops and livestock remains high along its path.

⚠️ Safety Advisory: Residents in central and northern Vietnam are urged to follow official updates closely, remain indoors, and take precautionary measures as Typhoon Kajiki makes landfall.

Source: CNN.