over 600.000 people have been evacuated. Photo credits: Wirestock/Freepik
Vietnam is undertaking extensive emergency measures as Typhoon Kajiki approaches its central coast. Packing winds of up to 166 km/h (103 mph), the typhoon is expected to make landfall between Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces around 0900 GMT on Monday. The approaching storm has prompted authorities to take swift action to protect residents and mitigate potential damage.
In response, over 600,000 people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas, particularly in the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang. Approximately 152,000 households have been relocated, and nearly 60,000 fishing vessels with around 249,000 crew members have been ordered to return to port. The evacuation is one of the largest in Vietnam in recent years, reflecting the seriousness of the threat posed by Kajiki. The Vietnamese government has mobilised more than 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel to assist in evacuation efforts and conduct rescue operations. Emergency teams are working to ensure that residents reach safe locations, with shelters and temporary accommodations set up in areas outside the storm’s projected path. Additionally, airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh provinces have been closed, and numerous flights have been cancelled, further limiting travel and reducing risk to residents and visitors.
Typhoon Kajiki has already caused significant disruption in China’s Hainan province, where over 20,000 people were evacuated and more than 21,000 fishing crew members returned to shore. In Vietnam, a man in Nghe An province died while securing his roof ahead of the storm. Authorities have warned residents to take extreme caution, particularly in low-lying and coastal areas susceptible to flooding and storm surges.
The typhoon is expected to generate torrential rainfall, with some regions receiving in excess of 300 millimetres. River systems are likely to swell, and landslides remain a significant risk, particularly in mountainous terrain. Coastal areas are also expected to face high waves and strong winds, which may damage homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land. Around 300,000 hectares of rice fields, 77,000 hectares of fruit plantations, and 57,000 hectares of rubber plantations are at risk, potentially affecting food supply and livelihoods in the affected regions. Experts note that climate change is contributing to the rapid intensification of storms like Kajiki, which developed from a tropical depression only days before reaching Vietnam. While the storm is expected to weaken once it moves inland due to cooler temperatures and loss of moisture from the sea, the initial impact is likely to be severe.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely and provide updates to ensure the safety of residents. Emergency services, military personnel, and local officials remain on high alert, ready to respond to emergencies, conduct rescues, and deliver aid to communities in need. The ongoing preparations highlight Vietnam’s proactive approach to disaster management and the importance of swift, coordinated action in the face of powerful tropical storms.
