With Typhoon Kajiki swirling towards Vietnam, authorities have initiated a massive evacuation effort affecting over 586,000 residents in several central provinces including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang. The storm is currently unleashing torrential rains in Hainan, China, and features max sustained winds of 166 km/h (103 mph), with expectations of intensification prior to landfall.
Forecasters at BBC Weather have indicated that while Kajiki may diminish in strength after it crosses into Vietnam, it will still deliver significant wind speeds of up to 200 km/h and enormous rainfall, potentially reaching 300-400mm. Storm surges between 2-4m (6.6-13ft) are also anticipated, prompting officials to warn residents to stay indoors after 14:00 GMT on Sunday, a precaution taken in light of similar past events.
Vietnam Airlines has already canceled 22 flights to and from central cities over the weekend in anticipation of the storm's impact, while fishing vessels and aquaculture facilities have been warned to remain ashore as conditions are deemed dangerously unsafe. Soldiers have been mobilized to assist in evacuation and relief efforts, underscoring the seriousness of the threat posed by Kajiki.
Officials have expressed fears that this typhoon could mirror the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi in September of last year, which claimed hundreds of lives in the region, including 300 fatalities in Vietnam alone. As Vietnam braces for the storm, the focus remains on ensuring safety and preparedness among its citizens.
