Typhoon Kajiki slams central Vietnam with destructive winds and torrential rain

In Hac Thanh Ward of Thanh Hoa City and in Sam Son Ward, rows of trees were uprooted, crushing cars and blocking roads. Despite a ban on going outdoors due to heavy rain, the scene remained chaotic.

Photos by Le Hoang

 

 

Typhoon Kajiki slams central Vietnam with destructive winds and torrential rain

Bão

Typhoon Kajiki lashed Vung Ang Ward, formerly part of old Ky Anh Town, with heavy rain and powerful gusts, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 1,000 households, or about 4,000 residents, to safety.

"From early afternoon we issued the evacuation order, mobilizing all forces with people’s safety as the top priority," said Tran Xuan Phuong, Party Secretary of Vung Ang Ward.

In Co Dam Commune, formerly part of Nghi Xuan District bordering Cua Lo in Nghe An, high tide has risen to the base of the sea dike, though no damage has been reported. Police, soldiers, and local militia are on standby to respond quickly to any incidents.

 

 

Typhoon Kajiki slams central Vietnam with destructive winds and torrential rain

Nước biển tràn qua đê và kè chắn sóng ở xã Cổ Đạm, Hà Tĩnh

Rising tide has pushed seawater onto Ho Xuan Huong Street in Sam Son City, flooding several sections. Traffic police set up checkpoints at the street’s entrance, barring passage and urging residents to avoid the area for safety.

Police set up a checkpoint blocking residents from flooded sections of Ho Xuan Huong Street in Sam Son. Photo by Le Hoang

 

 

Typhoon Kajiki slams central Vietnam with destructive winds and torrential rain

Nước ngập

Along Ha Tinh’s coast, sheets of rain cut visibility to under 20 meters. Half an hour ago the wind blew inland from the sea, but now it has reversed in powerful bursts blowing back toward the water. Trees bent under the strain before snapping and toppling.

At Thien Cam Beach, even behind closed doors of tall buildings, windows rattled under the force of the wind. Outside came the roar of gusts and the clang of corrugated metal tearing loose. The area has lost power, phone signals are unstable, and most residents have already taken shelter.

Blinding rain in Thien Cam, with winds hurling leaves up to the height of a five-story building. Photo by Nguyen Dong

Speaking to the press on Monday afternoon, Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Weather Forecasting Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said the typhoon’s eye has not fully moved inland, with two-thirds still over the sea. It will be another 1–2 hours before the eye completely enters land.

"As the eye moves ashore, there will be a period of calm before strong winds return. At that point, the winds may be just as strong or even stronger than before landfall," Huong warned. Tonight, southern Nghe An to Ha Tinh may see storm winds at 103-133 kph, while Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri could face wind speed at 62-88 kph.

Nguyen Van Huong provides updates on the storm’s status. Photo by Gia Chinh

Water levels are also rising on the Thao River in Lao Cai and on rivers in Ha Tinh and northern Quang Tri. At 1 p.m. on Monday, the Gianh River in Quang Tri measured 7.74 meters at Dong Tam station, 0.74 m above alarm level one.

From now until Aug. 28, flooding is forecast on the Thao River (Lao Cai) and rivers from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri. Peak floods on smaller rivers, the upper Ca River (Nghe An), Ngan Sau and Ngan Pho rivers (Ha Tinh), and the Gianh River (Quang Tri) may reach alarm levels two to three. The Buoi and upper Ma rivers (Thanh Hoa), Kien Giang and Thach Han rivers (Quang Tri) may reach alarm levels one to two or higher, while the Thao, lower Ca (Nghe An), and La River (Ha Tinh) could rise to alarm level one.

Authorities warn of a high risk of flooding in low-lying areas near rivers, urban centers, and densely populated regions, as well as flash floods and landslides on mountain slopes in Lao Cai, Phu Tho, and across Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri.

At 3 p.m., the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported the typhoon’s eye over the Nghe An–Ha Tinh coast with maximum winds of 133 kph. In the next three hours, it is expected to move west at 10–15 kph.

Typhoon Kajiki makes landfall in Nghe An–Ha Tinh. Photo courtesy of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

Though outside the storm’s eye, Phu Trach Commune in Quang Tri was hit by gusting winds and 2-meter waves. Six offshore fish cages were smashed against the shore. "No one was on the rafts, but camera footage showed several cages badly damaged. It’s heartbreaking," said local resident Cao Thai.

 

 

Typhoon Kajiki slams central Vietnam with destructive winds and torrential rain

Bão

Several high-voltage lamp posts and trees in Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An, were knocked down. Authorities warned that damage to trees and infrastructure could worsen as the storm intensifies. Photos by Duc Hung