Typhoon Kajiki made landfall in Vietnam on Monday, battering the country’s central provinces with winds of up to 133 kph (82 mph) and forcing authorities to evacuate more than 40,000 residents. The powerful storm, the fifth to hit Vietnam this year, caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and power networks, while raising concerns about the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather events.
Storm Impact and Destruction
Kajiki struck Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces at around 3 p.m. local time, unleashing powerful gusts that tore through properties, uprooted trees, and brought down lampposts. Torrential rains and tidal surges flooded streets and homes, leaving many communities without electricity or phone service. In Thanh Hoa province, coastal areas experienced flooding as huge waves crashed ashore. Eyewitnesses described water surges as tall as two meters flooding roads and collapsing roofs.
Emergency Response Measures
Authorities shut down schools, airports, and coastal businesses ahead of the storm, while deploying more than 300,000 military personnel to assist with rescue and relief efforts. The government had prepared plans to evacuate up to 587,000 people across multiple provinces, ban fishing vessels from leaving port, and secure dams and flood walls. Temporary shelters, including gyms and public buildings, were opened to house displaced families.
Regional Effects and Comparisons
Kajiki’s arrival comes less than a year after Typhoon Yagi devastated northern Vietnam, killing about 300 people. Although weaker than Yagi, Kajiki still brought destructive winds and widespread flooding. The storm also impacted southern China’s Hainan island and Guangdong province, where tourist hubs like Sanya shut attractions and suspended transport services. Meteorologists warned of continued risks of flash floods and mudslides in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand as heavy rains are forecast to persist, with some regions expected to receive up to 600 millimeters of rainfall.
Climate Change Concerns
Scientists noted that Kajiki’s intensity is part of a broader trend of stronger storms fueled by climate change. Rising global temperatures and warming seas are amplifying the frequency and severity of typhoons, with developing countries in Southeast Asia among the hardest hit. “We are no longer predicting the future — we are living it,” said Benjamin Horton, professor of earth science at City University, Hong Kong, emphasizing that climate projections are already materializing.
Typhoon Kajiki underscores Vietnam’s vulnerability to increasingly powerful storms, displacing tens of thousands of people and inflicting widespread damage. While the storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland, its impact highlights the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness and international cooperation to address the escalating climate crisis.