Speaking at an online emergency meeting from the Forward Command Headquarters on the evening of August 24, the Prime Minister emphasised that Kajiki has strengthened by five categories since entering the East Sea and could grow even stronger before landfall. He warned that the typhoon was moving rapidly, extremely dangerous, and had a wide impact area, threatening vessels even at anchor. Heavy rains could trigger flashfloods, landslides, and widespread flooding.

The Prime Minister praised relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, especially the Ministry of National Defence, for promptly and seriously implementing the Party Secretariat’s and Government’s directives in responding to the storm.

He stressed that complacency must be avoided at all costs, urging strong, consistent, and decisive leadership.

“The foremost priority is protecting human lives, by rescuing, safeguarding, and ensuring there is absolutely no loss of life,” he stated. “At the same time, we must work to minimise damage to property, and be ready for swift recovery once the typhoon disipates, so that the entire nation can celebrate the 80th National Day in joy.”

The Prime Minister directed preparations to be thorough and proactive well before landfall, including mobilising forces, stockpiling food, drinking water, and medical supplies.

He ordered relevant ministries and localities to strictly implement existing instructions, with the Ministry of National Defence playing a central role in the National Civil Defence Command. A Forward Command has been established at Military Zone 4, and provincial-level forward commands must be set up to operate around the clock with sufficient materials and manpower.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was tasked with closely monitoring the storm, coordinating with international forecasting agencies, and providing the earliest, most accurate warnings possible through media channels.

Authorities must continue to check, count, and guide vessels out of danger zones, strictly prohibiting people from staying on boats and fish cages. Forces must be mobilised to help residents secure homes, ensure safe anchorage, and pull vessels ashore where necessary.

He also stressed urgent evacuation from unsafe areas, including fragile houses, low-lying zones, riverbanks, coastal areas, and regions prone to flashfloods or landslides.

The Prime Minister further directed that reservoirs, dams, and irrigation works be closely monitored, operated safely, and coordinated to help reduce downstream flooding. Preparedness must also extend to agriculture, protecting crops and livestock from damage.

Rescue forces and equipment, including helicopters, must be ready for deployment in case of emergencies. Localities were instructed to activate the “four on-the-spot” principle (on-site command, on-site forces, on-site logistics, and on-site materials) and stockpile dry rations, drinking water, and essential goods.

The Prime Minister also urged the media to intensify communication, provide hourly updates, and continuously guide citizens on storm preparedness and response.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting at the meeting, Kajiki is among the most dangerous storms in recent years. With its broad circulation and rapid movement across sea areas where surface water temperatures reach up to 30°C, combined with additional energy from the southwest monsoon, the storm has a very high potential for further intensification.

Notably, it will bring strong winds and extremely heavy rainfall, with some local areas possibly receiving over 600–700 mm, leading to the risk of widespread flooding, flashfloods, and landslides. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has raised the warning level to disaster risk level 4 out of a total of 5 levels. People and local authorities need to urgently and decisively implement response measures, carry out evacuations when required, and absolutely not be complacent.

In the next 12–24 hours, Kajiki is forecast to move mainly west-northwest at around 20 kmh. By around noon and afternoon on August 25, the typhoon is likely to make landfall in the provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh.

So far, all eight provinces and cities from Ninh Binh to Quang Ngai have imposed a ban on going out to sea. Provinces and cities from Thanh Hoa to Hue have reviewed and implemented plans to evacuate residents from unsafe areas. At the same time, nearly 6,000 fishing vessels with more than 288,000 people have essentially returned to shore.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued directives on ensuring the safety of dikes, and dispatched staff to critical sites to support localities. Local authorities are also assisting and directing residents to harvest nearly 1,000 hectares of ripe rice.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Hien, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said the Ministry has deployed forces to help residents secure fishing vessels, reinforce houses, and strengthen fish cages. At present, around 100,000 troops and more than 1,000 vehicles, including aircraft, have been mobilised to stand ready for rescue operations and other tasks.

Kajiki response: Forward Command set up, mass evacuation gets underway

VOV.VN - Vietnam has decided to set up a Forward Command and conduct a mass evacuation of residents before Typhoon Kajiki makes landfall at noon August 25.