Vietnam is bracing for Typhoon Kajiki, the year’s most powerful storm, by shutting down major airports, closing schools, and ordering the mass evacuation of more than half a million people along the central coast. The government’s emergency measures come as Kajiki, packing winds up to 166 kph (103 mph), closes in on landfall between Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces—an event forecast for Monday afternoon, according to the national weather agency.
“This is an extremely dangerous, fast-moving storm,” the Vietnamese government declared in a late Sunday statement, cautioning residents about the threat of heavy rains, catastrophic flooding, and landslides. As of midnight, Typhoon Kajiki’s eye was 150 km offshore, projected to intensify further just before making landfall.
Vietnam’s vulnerability is pronounced due to its lengthy coastline facing the South China Sea and frequent exposure to deadly storms. Memories are still raw from Typhoon Yagi, which struck less than a year ago, resulting in around 300 deaths and causing an estimated $3.3 billion in property damage.
In anticipation of Kajiki, authorities have also ordered all boats to remain ashore and grounded air travel by shutting two major airports—Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh—per the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet have preemptively canceled dozens of flights to and from the area, while neighboring Sanya City on China’s Hainan Island shut businesses and public transport as the typhoon skirted its coast.
As Vietnam confronts nature’s fury, emergency teams remain on high alert. Disaster officials continue to monitor Kajiki’s track and urge vigilance, with the government promising further updates as the storm unfolds
