Vietnam has deployed emergency precautions to protect people as Typhoon Kajiki strengthens, with plans for evacuation of more than 500,000 people from its central coastal provinces. The southern Chinese city of Sanya on Hainan Island also implemented stringent safety precautions, shutting shops and suspending public transport as both nations prepare for the blow of the storm.
Massive Evacuations in Vietnam
Vietnamese authorities have directed the evacuation of over 586,000 residents in Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang, where Kajiki is likely to hit early Monday. Officials cautioned people in the path of the storm to stay inside from 1400 GMT Sunday onwards, with soldiers deployed to aid residents.
Seven coastal provinces banned boats from departing from shore, and airlines were rescheduling flights. Vietnam Airlines cancelled at least 22 flights into and out of central cities, and Vietjet Aviation delayed and cancelled them.
The storm’s strength has grown, with gusts of 166 kph (103 mph) and predictions calling for additional intensification to 180 kph. Official reports liken the possible impact of Kajiki to Typhoon Yagi, which hit less than a year earlier and killed about 300 people and did $3.3 billion in damage.
Southern China Braces for Worst-Case Scenario
Throughout the South China Sea, Sanya has raised a red typhoon warning, the most severe in China’s color-coded warning system, and upgraded emergency response levels to the highest level. All classes, construction works, and public transportation have been halted by the authorities, with tourist attractions, shopping malls, and restaurants closed. Boats have been ordered to stop operations.
The city administration had a Saturday night meeting to prepare for possible “worst-case” situations. The storm will skirt past Hainan’s southern coast Sunday night before heading for Vietnam, with precipitation reaching 320 mm (12.6 in) in certain places, with strong winds.
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Flights, Schools, and Businesses Halted
China’s larger Guangdong and Guangxi provinces are also preparing for heavy rain and windy weather. Since July, extreme weather conditions, such as floods and drought, have wreaked havoc across China, incurring losses of 52.15 billion yuan ($7.28 billion) and killing or leaving 295 persons missing, the Ministry of Emergency Management has stated.
With global warming fueling increased weather severity, both China and Vietnam are on their guard. Citizens are advised to follow safety precautions, and officials are keeping a close eye on the storm, prepared to act on increased intensification as Kajiki draws near.
