Tropical Storm Kajiki Brings Deadly Flooding to Vietnam
Three people lost their lives across three provinces, while 13 others were injured. Kajiki hit Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces around 3 p.m. local time with wind speeds of 133 kph (82 mph) before weakening into a tropical storm.
More than 6,800 homes were damaged, and 28,000 hectares of rice fields were submerged. Seven central and northeast provinces experienced heavy flooding, with Hanoi, 350 kilometers north of the landfall, also severely affected.
Mass Evacuations and Destruction
Before the storm arrived, residents secured homes and businesses with boards and sandbags. Schools, airports, and coastal communities were shut down as precautionary measures. Authorities evacuated more than 44,000 people in low-lying regions.
Huge waves, some up to two meters, surged through streets in Nghe An, collapsing roofs and flooding homes. Power outages and unstable communication were reported in Ha Tinh, while Thanh Hoa province suffered tidal surges and flooding.
By Monday evening, the storm was moving slowly and weakening, though risks of strong winds remained. Emergency measures had been activated across central provinces, with plans to evacuate nearly 587,000 people. Over 300,000 military personnel, along with the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force, were placed on standby for rescue operations.
Regional Impact and Climate Concerns
Kajiki, the fifth named storm to hit Vietnam this year, is expected to move inland toward Laos and Thailand, bringing risks of flash floods and mudslides. Forecasters warned that rainfall could reach 200–400 millimeters in many areas, with some regions facing more than 600 mm.
The storm had earlier brushed past China’s Hainan island, where cities like Sanya closed tourist attractions and suspended public transport.
Officials compared Kajiki to last year’s Typhoon Yagi, which killed around 300 people in northern Vietnam and caused massive destruction. Though Kajiki was weaker, its flooding and winds added to fears over worsening climate-related disasters.
Scientists warned that intensifying storms reflect the human-driven climate crisis, noting that projections of stronger, more destructive storms are now becoming reality.
