Typhoon Kajiki Forces Half a Million Evacuations in Vietnam

In anticipation of Typhoon Kajiki, Vietnam has moved to evacuate approximately half a million people, mobilizing more than 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel to assist in the effort. The typhoon, which was expected to make landfall on Monday, brought with it winds of up to 157 kilometers per hour and has caused widespread disruption, including the closure of schools and airports.

Preparations and Impact

As the country braced for the arrival of the typhoon, the city center of Vinh, a coastal city, was already swamped by floodwaters. Torrential rains and strong winds were expected to batter the north central coast of Vietnam, with the provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh being particularly affected. Despite the winds tapering off from an earlier speed of 166 km/h to 118-133 km/h, the impact of the typhoon has been significant, with reports of roofs being torn off homes and trees being felled.

Dang Xuan Phuong, a resident of Cua Lo, a tourism town in Nghe An province directly hit by the typhoon, described the situation as terrifying.

In contrast, the Russian Union of Travel Industry reported that Vietnam's resorts were not affected by the typhoon, and the situation remained calm. No complaints were received from China's Hainan as well, which was also in the path of the typhoon.

Casualties and Damages

Following the passage of Typhoon Kajiki, reports emerged of at least three people killed and ten others injured. Nearly 7,000 homes were damaged by the fierce winds and torrential rains associated with the typhoon. The typhoon also caused widespread power outages, leaving over 1.6 million people without electricity.

Remote villages were particularly affected, with power cuts and roofs torn off. This has highlighted the vulnerability of Vietnam in the face of intensifying climate disasters.

Current Status and Warnings

After making landfall on Vietnam's north central coast on Monday, Typhoon Kajiki weakened into a tropical depression as it moved across to Laos on Tuesday. However, the remnants of the typhoon still pose a risk, with Thailand issuing a flood alert for low-lying areas.

Vietnam's preparations for the typhoon and the subsequent evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people was a significant operation. As Typhoon Kajiki continues to move across Southeast Asia, its impact will continue to be felt and the cleanup operation is likely to be extensive.

While the full extent of the damage caused by Typhoon Kajiki is yet to be fully realized, the immediate response and preparations undertaken by Vietnam have undoubtedly mitigated some of the potential impacts. The country now faces the task of recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of this powerful storm.