Source: CNA
Date: 25th August 2025

Mass evacuations, airport closures, and flight cancellations as Typhoon Kajiki approaches.

Vietnam is taking urgent measures as it prepares for Typhoon Kajiki, the most powerful storm of the year. Authorities have shut down airports, closed schools, and begun evacuating more than half a million residents in anticipation of destructive winds, torrential rain, and the risk of flooding and landslides. The government has also ordered vessels to remain ashore as the storm intensifies.

According to the national weather agency, Typhoon Kajiki was packing winds of up to 166 km/h as it moved toward the central coast, with landfall expected between Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces.

Officials have warned that the storm could rival the scale of last year’s Typhoon Yagi, which left significant casualties and billions in damages. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh were shut, with dozens of flights cancelled by major airlines.

The storm had already impacted southern China’s Hainan Island before moving toward Vietnam, forcing closures of businesses and public transportation in coastal areas.

With its long and storm-prone coastline, Vietnam remains highly vulnerable to powerful typhoons that often result in widespread damage. Authorities emphasised the urgent need for preparedness as Kajiki continued its advance toward the mainland.