Typhoon Kajiki made landfall in central Vietnam on Monday, unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain that prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents and caused significant property damage. The storm is the fifth to hit the country this year.
Destructive Winds and Coastal Flooding
Kajiki barreled into Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces with sustained wind speeds of 82 mph (132 km/h). Consequently, powerful gusts ripped roofs from buildings, uprooted trees, and knocked down lampposts. Furthermore, eyewitnesses reported massive waves, as tall as two meters, flooding coastal streets and homes.
“It’s terrifying,” said Dang Xuan Phuong, a 48-year-old resident of the tourism town Cua Lao. “When I look down from the higher floors, I could see waves as tall as two meters, and the water has flooded the roads around us.”
Massive Government Evacuation and Response
Authorities had initiated large-scale preparations ahead of the storm’s arrival. Importantly, they evacuated over 40,000 people from vulnerable, low-lying areas by Monday morning. Moreover, the government mobilized more than 300,000 military personnel, with Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force units on standby for rescue operations.
Officials compared the storm to last year’s devastating Vietnam Typhoon Yagi. While Kajiki is weaker, it still poses a severe threat of widespread flooding and wind damage. Schools and airports were preemptively closed, and fishing vessels were banned from leaving shore.
Storm Weakens but Rain Threat Continues
According to Vietnam’s national weather agency, the storm was gradually weakening as it moved inland Monday evening. However, they cautioned that risks from strong winds and heavy rainfall remain very high.
The storm is now expected to move towards Laos and Thailand. Forecasters predict between 200-400 millimeters of rain in some regions, raising the risk of dangerous flash flooding and mudslides. For the latest global storm tracking, you can visit the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Climate Crisis Intensifying Regional Storms
This event highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of storms in the region, a trend linked to the climate crisis. Scientists note that developing nations often face the most severe impacts of these extreme weather events.
“It’s frightening to see our projections from just last year already materializing,” Professor Benjamin Horton of Hong Kong’s City University told the Associated Press. “We are no longer predicting the future — we are living it.”
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