Vietnam braces for heavy rain as typhoon Kajiki heads to central coast
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s central region is bracing for the arrival of typhoon Kajiki in the coming days, with authorities closely monitoring its path and preparing for significant impacts.
A tropical depression is moving into the East Sea and is forecast to strengthen into Typhoon Kajiki on August 23, said Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, at a meeting in Hanoi on August 22.
Kajiki, the fifth of its kind to hit the East Sea this stormy season, will be moving rapidly at approximately 20 km/h, and by August 24 it is expected to reach the Paracel Islands, packing winds of 89 – 117kph, with potential gusts up to 149kph, he added.
According to the meteorologist, favourable conditions such as warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear suggest further intensification as the typhoon heads towards the Gulf of Tonkin, with landfall projected for August 25.
Khiem warned that the storm’s large circulation area could impact coastal localities from Nghe An to Quang Tri, where winds of 89 – 117kph, with potential gusts up to 149kph, could be expected. Heavy rain is forecast from August 24 to 27, with accumulations ranging between 150–300 mm, and even exceeding 600 mm in some areas.
Rising river levels are anticipated between Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri, increasing the risk of flashfloods, landslides, and urban or low-lying flooding. Authorities are advised to implement flood-control plans, safeguard reservoirs, and evacuate at-risk residents.
At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Hoang Hiep urged the meteorological agency to enhance early warning capabilities, ensuring bulletins are issued up to one hour earlier than usual, enabling timely decisions to halt maritime operations and direct vessels to safety.
He also called for joint efforts to review dam safety, guide local authorities on public and tourist safety, and prepare for major events, including activities marking the 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2.
The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting cautioned that for the remainder of the year, the frequency and intensity of storms and depressions in the East Sea may exceed historical averages, with rapidly evolving and unpredictable patterns.
Tropical depression enters Gulf of Tonkin, rain to lash large parts of Vietnam
VOV.VN - Localities in the Northern and Central regions of Vietnam are expected to endure a spell of heavy rain in the coming days as a tropical depression is moving into the Gulf of Tonkin.
