Typhoon Kajiki Forces Mass Evacuations in Vietnam, Brings Torrential Rains, Flooding
Typhoon Kajiki battered Vietnam’s north central coast on Monday with heavy rains, high waves, and flooding, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents as authorities braced for one of the strongest storms of the year. Although wind speeds weakened to 118–133 km/h (73–83 mph) as the typhoon made landfall in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, it still left widespread damage, including downed power lines, destroyed roofs, and washed-away fishing farms.
The government deployed more than 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel for evacuation and rescue efforts, while airports were closed and dozens of flights cancelled. Streets in cities like Vinh were submerged, with businesses shuttered as residents tried to protect their homes from the rising waters. Witnesses described terrifying waves up to two meters high crashing into coastal towns.
Vietnam, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the region due to its long coastline, faces growing threats from increasingly severe storms linked to climate change. State media reported over 100 people killed or missing from natural disasters in the first seven months of 2025, while last year’s Typhoon Yagi alone caused $3.3 billion in losses. Kajiki is expected to weaken after landfall, but authorities remain on high alert for flooding, flash floods, and landslides.
