Vietnam evacuates hundreds of thousands as Typhoon Kajiki strikes
- Typhoon Kajiki made landfall in Vietnam on August 25, bringing dangerous winds and heavy rainfall to the central provinces.
- Vietnamese authorities mobilized military and paramilitary personnel to assist in evacuating residents from high-risk areas.
- The intensifying impacts of climate change are resulting in stronger and more frequent typhoons hitting Southeast Asia.
Vietnam has faced a dire situation as Typhoon Kajiki, the strongest storm this year, approached and ultimately made landfall on August 25, 2025. The storm initially formed as a weak tropical depression on August 22, quickly intensifying with wind speeds reaching up to 166 kilometers per hour. As the typhoon neared the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh, authorities undertook emergency evacuation measures, mobilizing soldiers and paramilitary personnel to assist in safeguarding the population. Schools and airports were closed in anticipation of the storm's impact. By the time Kajiki made landfall, it had already overwhelmed the coastal regions, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. The rapid escalation of the storm resonated with previous disasters, such as Typhoon Yagi from the previous year, which resulted in significant fatalities and loss of property. Observers witnessed terrifying conditions, with residents reporting waves reaching heights of two meters, leading to flooding in surrounding areas. Areas in Ha Tinh province experienced power outages and disrupted communication, amplifying concerns over the safety of the population. Estimates indicated that more than 600,000 residents were under evacuation orders amid fears of flash flooding and mudslides, a direct consequence of predicted heavy rainfall associated with the storm. Humanitarian efforts were ramped up, involving over 300,000 military personnel and equipment poised for rescue missions following the storm’s landfall. After the storm passed, meteorological forecasts anticipated a weakening of Typhoon Kajiki as it moved into Laos and northern Thailand, though the threat of severe weather conditions lingered. This storm serves as a tangible indicator of changing climate patterns, as scientists emphasize that the impacts of global warming are manifesting in increased intensity and frequency of cyclones in Southeast Asia. Many express concerns that the region will continue to face heightened risks as storms become more severe, demonstrating that the climate crisis is now a pressing reality.