Vietnam is evacuating nearly 587,000 people and has cancelled more than a dozen domestic flights as Typhoon Kajiki approaches, with landfall expected on Monday, August 25.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said airports in Thanh Hóa and Quảng Bình provinces have been closed, while Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet have cancelled multiple flights to and from the region.
More than 300,000 military personnel were mobilised with the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force on standby for rescue operations.
The country's weather agency said Typhoon Kajiki was packing winds of up to 166 kph as it approached Vietnam's central coast and was forecast to grow stronger before making landfall on Monday afternoon.
“This is an extremely dangerous fast-moving storm,” the government said in a statement Sunday night (August 24), warning that Kajiki would bring heavy rains, flooding and landslides.
Storm surges of up to 1.5 m were forecast, and sea levels in some areas were expected to reach more than 3.5 m. Concerns lie with those living on much of the low-lying northeast and central coast.
The eye of the storm is forecasted to hit an area between Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An provinces around 4 PM local time.
With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to storms that are often deadly and trigger dangerous flooding and mudslides. The Vietnamese government said Kajiki was expected to be as powerful as Typhoon Yagi, which battered the country less than a year ago, killing about 300 people and causing USD 3.3 billion (approximately INR 288.6 billion) of property damage.
Kajiki skirted the southern coast of China's Hainan Island on Sunday as it moved toward Vietnam, forcing its main city, Sanya, to close businesses and public transport.
Authorities upgraded emergency response to the highest level, evacuating around 20,000 residents on Sunday, according to reports.
Kajiki is expected to make landfall in the central provinces of Thanh Hóa and Nghệ An late afternoon into evening local time, as either a weak typhoon or strong tropical storm. Thanh Hóa is about 166 km south of Hà Nội.
Monitor weather updates and follow local authorities’ instructions on evacuation or sheltering.
Bring in outdoor furniture, secure windows and reinforce doors to prevent damage from strong winds.
Prepare a go-bag with essentials like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and important documents.
If you live in a flood-prone or coastal area, evacuate early to higher ground or designated shelters.
Stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel to prevent exposure to dangerous conditions, especially flooding or landslides.
Dial 112 for emergency rescue, 113 for police and 115 for ambulance services/first-aid.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)
