Vietnam braces for Typhoon Kajiki as central coast evacuations begin

Vietnam is preparing for Typhoon Kajiki with mass evacuations, shutdowns and widespread precautions as the storm bears down on the central coast, threatening strong winds, heavy rain and floods. Officials say more than half a million people will be moved from Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang, while two central airports are closed and numerous flights canceled or delayed. Boats have been ordered to stay ashore, and authorities have mobilized tens of thousands of security and rescue personnel to support the evacuation and potential search-and-rescue operations.

The government described Kajiki as an extremely dangerous, fast-moving storm. Forecasters warned that winds could reach around 160 to 180 kilometers per hour at sea, with heavy rain expected to trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying coastal areas. The eye of Kajiki was forecast to make landfall in the Thanh Hoa–Nghe An corridor, with the center of the storm passing relatively close to populated coastal districts before moving inland toward Laos and northern Thailand. Officials emphasized the urgency of preparations, noting that the storm could intensify before landfall.