Background on Typhoon Kajiki and its Impact
Typhoon Kajiki, the fifth storm to strike Vietnam this year, brought with it sustained winds exceeding 130 kilometers per hour, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents along the Gulf of Tonkin coast. The powerful storm made landfall between Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in central Vietnam on Monday afternoon, generating 9.5-meter waves before hitting the shore.
Evacuation and Military Mobilization
- Nearly 30,000 residents from coastal areas were evacuated.
- 16,000 military personnel were deployed to manage the emergency.
- Two local airports closed, and 35 flights were canceled.
The coastal city of Vinh experienced heavy rainfall on Monday, with most businesses closed and protected by sandbags. Le Manh Tung, a 66-year-old resident, shared his thoughts at a Vinh gymnasium housing evacuated families: “I’ve never heard of a typhoon of this magnitude affecting our city.”
Typhoon Kajiki’s Intensity and Risks
Kajiki made landfall with wind speeds ranging from 118 to 133 kilometers per hour, according to Vietnam’s National Hydro-Meteorological Center. The center’s director, Mai Van Khiem, warned of high risks of flooding and sudden river overflows due to the substantial rainfall.
Impact on Hainan Island and Broader Context
Approximately 20,000 residents were evacuated from Hainan Island, located in the Gulf of Tonkin and south of China. This year alone, more than 100 people have died or gone missing in Vietnam due to natural disasters, with economic losses exceeding $21 million, according to government reports.
Scientists attribute the increasing intensity and unpredictability of such weather phenomena to human-induced climate change. This makes floods and storms more destructive, particularly in tropical regions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Typhoon Kajiki? Typhoon Kajiki is the fifth storm to impact Vietnam in 2023, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall that forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
- Where did Kajiki make landfall? The typhoon made landfall between Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in central Vietnam.
- How many people were evacuated? Nearly 30,000 residents from coastal areas were evacuated due to Typhoon Kajiki.
- What are the risks associated with Typhoon Kajiki? There are high risks of flooding and sudden river overflows due to substantial rainfall caused by the storm.
- How has climate change contributed to these events? Scientists believe that human-induced climate change intensifies weather phenomena, making floods and storms more destructive, especially in tropical regions.
