Tropical Storm Kajiki Hits Vietnam, Kills Three
Tropical storm causes deaths, flooding in Southeast Asia.
A ferocious tropical storm slammed into Vietnam, claiming three lives and unleashing chaos across Southeast Asia with torrential rains and flooding. The storm, formerly Typhoon Kajiki, battered central Vietnam on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction as it swept into Laos by Tuesday, according to state television network VTV. Thailand also braced for heavy rainfall, with warnings of potential flash floods extending into Wednesday.
In Vietnam, the storm’s wrath was devastating. A 90-year-old man perished when his home collapsed under the relentless rain, while another man was fatally electrocuted while preparing for the storm’s arrival. A third death was reported, alongside 13 injuries and damage to thousands of homes in the central region. Nghe An province faced widespread power outages starting Monday night, compounding the chaos.
Hanoi’s streets became rivers, with residents wading through knee-deep water to salvage motorbikes and navigate flooded roads. “It’s a mess everywhere. I can’t even get to work,” said Nguyen Thu Quynh, an office worker stranded by the deluge.
Also Read: Typhoon Kajiki Forces Vietnam to Evacuate Thousands
Before making landfall, Vietnam’s government mobilized to evacuate nearly 600,000 people from high-risk areas in Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang provinces. Over 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel were deployed for rescue and evacuation efforts. Two airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri remained shuttered Tuesday after flights were grounded Monday.
Kajiki hit central Vietnam with winds of 117 kph (73 mph), triggering flash flood and landslide warnings, worsened by high tides that flooded coastal areas in Nghe An and Ha Tinh. The storm had earlier lashed China’s Hainan Island with fierce winds and rain.
In Thailand, authorities warned of nationwide heavy rain, urging residents in low-lying and foothill areas to prepare for flash floods and landslides. A 2024 study highlighted that climate change is intensifying Southeast Asia’s storms, causing them to form closer to land, strengthen rapidly, and linger longer, posing greater threats to urban areas.
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