Typhoon Kajiki is creating an urgent situation in Vietnam as authorities mobilize to ensure safety ahead of the storm's arrival. With its wind speeds reaching up to 166 km/h (103 mph), the storm has already begun dropping heavy rain in Hainan, China, where up to 320mm (12.6 inches) of rain is expected.
In response, Vietnamese officials have issued evacuation orders for residents in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang. Flights to these areas have been canceled, and local boats are advised to stay ashore.
According to meteorologists at BBC Weather, while the typhoon may weaken slightly after hitting land, it is still forecasted to bring destructive winds of 200 km/h and heavy rainfall measuring between 300-400mm. Authorities are cautioning that waves could surge between 2-4 meters (6.6-13 ft) in coastal areas.
Local officials, echoing warnings from the ministry of agriculture and environment, advised that the situation poses an extreme danger to both people and infrastructure, particularly impacting tourism and fishing industries.
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, Vietnam Airlines has cancelled at least 22 flights to and from central regions, underscoring the serious threat posed by Kajiki. The looming storm conjures memories of Typhoon Yagi, which caused widespread destruction last September and resulted in hundreds of fatalities, further raising fears among the populace.
