As Typhoon Kajiki approaches Vietnam’s east coast on Monday, rescue operations are underway. Authorities are preparing to counteract the drastic effects it will have on the area. With a particularly potent storm bearing down on Midwestern states, the timing couldn’t be worse. Approximately 586,000 of those are preparing to evacuate from central provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang. Rainfall impacts from the typhoon Heavy rainfall is another major impact from this typhoon, with many places expecting totals of 100-150mm (about 4-6 inches). In Thanh Hoa and North Quang Tri, localized extremes may reach over 700 mm.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), Typhoon Kajiki is at present bringing fierce winds of 166 kilometers per hour. According to experts, it’s possible that it could get even stronger still, with wind speeds potentially reaching up to 180kph. Local authorities aren’t messing around with the storm’s threat. This conjures traumatic memories of Typhoon Yagi, which ravaged the archipelago less than a year prior, resulting in nearly 300 deaths and $3.3 billion in property damage.
Preparations Underway in Vietnam
Vietnamese disaster authorities alerted residents to remain indoors after 2 PM on Sunday as the storm approaches. They’re doing everything they can to protect everyone’s safety. Academically, it’s meant that all classes and construction projects are on hold. Shopping centers, restaurants, and supermarkets in the impacted communities have shuttered their doors to protect residents and first responders alike.
Soldiers are standing by to support local communities as they prepare for the storm’s landfall. The government is calling it an “extremely dangerous” risk situation. The threat extends to vehicles and infrastructure such as tourism and fishing boats, as well as marine aquaculture facilities.
“The situation is extremely dangerous and not safe for any vehicles or structures, such as tourism or fishing vessels and aquaculture raising facilities,” – Vietnamese disaster authorities working under the ministry of agriculture and environment.
According to the NCHMF, dangerous rain levels are predicted to fall along the east coast of Vietnam. Such an intense deluge would cause catastrophic floods and landslips. The urgency to evacuate showcases the commitment to keeping people out of harm’s way as Typhoon Kajiki passes.
Impact in China
As Typhoon Kajiki approaches Vietnam, nearby China has taken warning. Sanya has given a red typhoon alert, the highest tier on the color-coded Chinese warning system. The city has raised its emergency response to the harshest level—red. In an effort to protect their citizens, the city has closed all tourist attractions, ordered all non-essential businesses to close, and halted all public transport operations.
In Sanya, authorities have banned all vessels from operating within city waters. They’re predicting gale-force winds and stormy seas in tow. The storm is forecasted to bring waves up to 9 meters high over the South China Sea, raising concerns about potential damage and safety risks.
China’s weather agency has anticipated heavy rainfall and strong winds in Hainan as well as nearby Guangdong province and Guangxi region due to Typhoon Kajiki. Local officials have been watching conditions closely as they ready for the storm’s potential effects.
Historical Context and Public Response
The intensity of Typhoon Kajiki has led to comparisons with Typhoon Yagi, which caused cataclysmic destruction across the region last year. Experiences like these have raised the level of alertness among residents on the threats that severe weather events can bring to the area. For those still reeling from previous storms, this latest evacuation bout serves as a harsh reminder of the ways safety and emergency preparedness can never be replaced.
