Typhoon Kajiki Hits Vietnam, Evacuations Underway

Vietnam has shut down airports, closed schools, and initiated mass evacuations as it braces for Typhoon Kajiki, the most powerful storm of the year. The typhoon is rapidly intensifying, with winds reaching 180 km/h, similar to last year’s devastating Typhoon Yagi, which caused $3.3 billion in damages and over 300 deaths.

Millions of residents have been evacuated from central provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang, ahead of the storm’s expected landfall on Monday. Typhoon Kajiki, the fifth to hit Vietnam in 2025, is the 13th storm to affect the region this year.

The typhoon has already brushed southern China's Hainan Island, prompting 20,000 evacuations and widespread closures in Sanya, affecting businesses, transport, and attractions. Heavy rainfall of up to 400mm has heightened the risk of waterlogging, flash floods, and geological disasters. Hainan's emergency response has been activated to prepare for the storm’s impact.

Typhoon Kajiki has brought with it storm surges of 2-4 meters (6.6-13 feet) and heavy downpours, leading to the cancellation of 22 Vietnam Airlines flights, with additional cancellations by Vietjet. Seven provinces in Vietnam have banned boats, and 60,000 vessels have been sheltered. While the typhoon is expected to weaken as it moves inland, it is predicted to impact Thailand by Tuesday.