HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam is taking significant emergency measures, evacuating hundreds of thousands of residents and closing schools and airports as it prepares for Typhoon Kajiki, which is expected to be the strongest storm of the year. As of 10 a.m. on Monday, meteorologists reported that the typhoon was packing winds of up to 166 kilometers (103 miles) per hour. It is predicted to weaken slightly before making landfall between the provinces of Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh in central Vietnam later in the afternoon.
Typhoon Kajiki transitioned from a weak tropical depression to a powerful storm in less than two days after developing on August 22. Its rapid intensification has been noted by state media, comparing it to last year’s Typhoon Yagi, which was one of the region's fastest-growing storms. In response to the impending danger, Vietnamese authorities have implemented urgent emergency protocols as strong winds and heavy rain begin to impact the region.
In the previous year, Typhoon Yagi resulted in approximately 300 fatalities and caused an estimated $3.3 billion in damages. Kajiki has already wreaked havoc in China, affecting Hainan Island and parts of Guangdong province, leading to the evacuation of around 20,000 individuals from high-risk areas, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Tragically, one man in Nghe An province lost his life on Friday after being electrocuted while trying to secure his roof in advance of the storm's arrival. Forecasts indicate that Kajiki is likely to move inland towards Laos and northern Thailand after making landfall.
The Vietnamese government has reported plans to evacuate nearly 600,000 residents from provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang, where more than 152,000 homes are situated in high-risk areas. To assist with evacuations and remain prepared for search and rescue operations, over 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the affected regions.
As a precaution, the Vietnamese Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of flights at two airports located in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh provinces on Monday, resulting in the cancellation of dozens of flights.
In light of recent climatic patterns, scientists have warned that the warming of seas due to climate change will likely result in Southeast Asia's cyclones forming nearer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and persisting longer. A study published the prior year highlighted that these changes pose increased risks for urban areas across the region.
Dr. Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong, expressed concern regarding the rapidity with which these changes are manifesting, stating that it signifies the climate crisis is progressing at an unexpected speed. He emphasized that society is no longer merely envisioning future scenarios but is actively experiencing the impacts of these changes.
