More than 586,000 individuals in Vietnam are being urged to evacuate as Typhoon Kajiki approaches with alarming intensity. With wind speeds recorded at 166 km/h (103 mph), the storm is anticipated to intensify further before it reaches the Vietnamese coastline early on Monday, according to meteorologists.
The central provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang, have been the focus of evacuation orders. As precautionary measures, numerous flights have been canceled, and maritime activities have been suspended. Already, substantial rainfall has impacted Hainan, China, as Kajiki begins its assault on the region, with forecasts estimating up to 320mm (12.6 inches) of local precipitation.
Although Typhoon Kajiki is expected to diminish as it advances inland into Vietnam, reports predict persistent winds up to 200 km/h (124 mph) and staggering rainfall totals between 300-400mm. Storm surges ranging from 2-4 meters (6.6-13 feet) are also predicted, prompting authorities to advise residents in the storm's path to avoid outdoor activities after 14:00 GMT on Sunday. The Vietnamese military has been mobilized to assist in emergency measures.
Officials describe the situation as extremely hazardous for all forms of transport and vulnerable infrastructure. Vietnam Airlines has already canceled over 22 flights to various central cities in response to the impending storm. There are growing concerns among authorities that the impact of Kajiki could mirror that of Typhoon Yagi, which caused significant devastation in the area last September, resulting in hundreds of fatalities in Vietnam alone.
