Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Typhoon Kajiki, the fifth storm set to strike Vietnam so far this year, was located around 140km east-southeast of Nghe An province and 120km east of Ha Tinh province at 9am on August 25, with sustained winds of 134-166km/h (level 13-14) and gusts reaching level 16.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the storm is expected to make landfall later Monday and has already forced the evacuation of thousands of people in high-risk areas from Ninh Binh to Hue.

Local authorities in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa alone have relocated 1,800 households from Nghi Son, Quang Xuong and Sam Son, with further evacuations underway in Hoang Hoa.

Ha Tinh province has moved more than 14,000 residents, mainly in low-lying coastal communes like Thien Cam and Ky Anh.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, chairing an emergency meeting from the Government’s forward command office at Military Region 4 (based in Nghe An province), warned central provinces from Quang Tri to Thanh Hoa to complete evacuations before 11am on August 25 and ordered residents not to leave their homes between 11am and 6pm.

He said that the storm could be as strong as super typhoon Yagi, which devastated northern provinces in 2024. Level-four houses (those with tile, tin or asbestos roofs) could collapse, and even high-rise buildings may suffer serious damage. Ha urged localities to reinforce homes and strengthen communication with residents.

Highlighting the critical role of communications in command and coordination, Ha instructed Viettel and VNPT to immediately check equipment for local leaders and disaster response officials. He assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take overall responsibility for regulating reservoirs and dams. Local authorities were asked to conduct early inspections, make prompt proposals, and strictly prevent incidents caused by negligence.

Flood risks

Heavy rain is forecast to follow Kajiki’s landfall, with accumulations of up to 600mm in some areas. Authorities have raised concerns about severe flooding in low-lying urban centres, along with flash floods and landslides in mountainous districts.

In Ha Tinh province, six reservoirs, including Song Rac and Boc Nguyen, have begun emergency water discharges to ease pressure on dams. Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa has established a forward command post in Quan Hoa to coordinate disaster response in the province's mountainous western area, where landslides and road blockages are expected.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported 43 weak points in coastal dikes from Ninh Binh to Hue. Most sea dikes are designed to withstand storms of only level 9-10, raising fears they could be overtopped by Kajiki’s winds and storm surges.

Particularly vulnerable sections include Hai Binh in Thanh Hoa, which was breached in 2017, and dikes at Hoi Thong, Loc Ha and Cam Nhuong in Ha Tinh.

By August 25 morning, winds of level 5-6 and heavy rain had already been reported in southern and western Thanh Hoa, while stronger gusts swept the Ha Tinh coast. In Ky Anh, residents rushed to secure their homes with sandbags, ropes and makeshift reinforcements, while shops closed and streets emptied. Construction crews dismantled scaffolding and secured equipment ahead of the storm.

Meteorologists explained that Kajiki has maintained its intensity close to shore due to warm sea surface temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, favourable atmospheric conditions and additional energy from the southwest monsoon.

Vietnam’s meteorological agency said that international forecasters hold a similar view of the storm’s expected intensity at landfall, estimating it at level 13-14 in Japan and China, and level 14 in Hong Kong (China).

Authorities have suspended the opening of schools in Thanh Hoa today and tomorrow, while work crews and hundreds of heavy machines have been mobilised to secure dikes, reinforce transport links and stand ready for search and rescue.

𓆏 The storm is forecast to strike between midday and late afternoon on August 25, with winds of level 12-14 and gusting to level 16, in southern Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and northern Ha Tinh provinces. Surrounding provinces may experience winds of level 8-11, with dangerous gusts extending far inland./.