A powerful storm, Typhoon Kajiki, is heading towards the central coast. Officials have declared an urgent state of readiness. They have ordered schools to close and are moving more than half a million people to safety. This typhoon is expected to be the strongest of the year.
The national weather service reported that Typhoon Kajiki carries winds up to 166 kilometers per hour. It is expected to grow even stronger before making landfall. The eye of the storm is predicted to hit the coast. This will happen between Thanh Hóa, Quảng Trị, and Nghệ An provinces. The estimated time is around 4:00 PM local time on Monday, August 25.
Government officials warned that the storm is moving very quickly and is quite fierce. They expect heavy rains, widespread flooding, and mudslides across many areas. To protect lives, authorities have already moved over 500,000 people from danger zones. All boats have been told to stay in port. This ban keeps fishing vessels and other ships safe from the rough seas.
Travel plans are also affected. The civil aviation authority confirmed that two airports are temporarily closed. These are located in Thanh Hóa and Quảng Bình provinces. Major airlines, including Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, have canceled dozens of flights. These cancellations are for routes in the affected regions.
Authorities compare Typhoon Kajiki to Typhoon Yagi, which struck last year. Typhoon Yagi caused the deaths of about 300 people. It also led to economic losses of over $3.3 billion. This memory serves as a stark reminder of the potential damage.
Source: channelnewsasia