Vietnam braces for Typhoon Kajiki with massive evacuations ordered
In a race against time, Vietnam has taken swift action by ordering the evacuation of over 586,000 people as Typhoon Kajiki approaches.
With winds already reaching a staggering 166km/h (103mph), meteorologists are predicting further intensification before the typhoon hits land early Monday.
Residents in the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang have been instructed to abandon their homes, while air travel has been disrupted and maritime activities suspended.
While skirting past Hainan in China, Typhoon Kajiki is expected to bring torrential downpours of up to 320mm (12.6in) and storm surges reaching heights of 2-4m (6.6-13ft).
Authorities have issued a warning advising individuals within the storm’s projected path to remain indoors after 14:00 GMT on Sunday, with military personnel mobilized to assist in emergency response efforts.
“The situation is extremely precarious with a high risk to vehicles, structures, and marine facilities,” officials from Vietnam’s ministry of agriculture and environment cautioned, as reported by AFP news agency.
Vietnam Airlines has already axed 22 flights to and from central cities scheduled for Sunday and Monday, highlighting the severity of the situation.
With memories of the devastating Yagi typhoon in September last year still fresh, which claimed hundreds of lives across the region, Vietnamese officials are not taking any chances as they prepare for the impact of Typhoon Kajiki. – BBC
