Mass evacuations as Typhoon Kajiki batters Vietnam’s coast

Typhoon Kajiki Hits Vietnam with Devastating Impact

Typhoon Kajiki made landfall on Vietnam’s north-central coast on Monday, bringing with it torrential rains, strong winds, and widespread destruction. The storm, which reached wind speeds of up to 166 km/h, caused massive flooding, felled trees, and forced mass evacuations from coastal areas.

Residents in towns like Cua Lo in Nghe An province were left terrified as waves as tall as two meters engulfed the area, while roads were completely submerged. Power outages, roof damage, and loss of floating fishing farms were reported in Ha Tinh province as well.

Vietnam took proactive measures in anticipation of the powerful storm, shutting down airports, closing schools, and evacuating nearly 600,000 people from high-risk areas. Thousands of soldiers and paramilitary personnel were mobilized for search and rescue operations.

The impact of Typhoon Kajiki was also felt in China, where about 20,000 people were evacuated from at-risk areas. Tragically, one man in Nghe An province lost his life while trying to secure his roof before the storm hit.

As the storm continues to move inland towards Laos and northern Thailand, scientists warn that climate change is fueling the intensity and frequency of cyclones in the region. The warming seas are causing storms to form closer to land, strengthening rapidly, and posing greater risks to coastal cities.

Benjamin Horton, a professor of earth science, emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, stating that the pace of change is outpacing predictions. The need for immediate action to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events like Typhoon Kajiki is more critical than ever.