Hanoi, Vietnam – At least three people have died and ten others have been injured after Typhoon Kajiki swept across northern and central Vietnam, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread destruction.
The storm made landfall on Monday, August 25, before weakening into a tropical depression as it moved into neighboring Laos. But not before causing major damage in several Vietnamese provinces.
Vietnam’s government reported that Kajiki:
Damaged nearly 7,000 homes
Flooded over 28,800 hectares (71,000+ acres) of rice fields
Knocked down 18,000 trees
Destroyed 331 electricity poles, causing blackouts in five provinces, including Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh
In Hanoi, the capital, floodwaters submerged major roads, including National Highway 6, where water levels reached nearly 1 meter (3.2 feet). Cars and motorbikes were stranded, and traffic was brought to a standstill as emergency crews tried to respond.
The national weather agency warned that heavy rainfall would continue, with some areas expected to receive up to 150mm (6 inches) of rain in just six hours — raising the risk of flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous regions.
Before the storm hit, authorities evacuated about 44,000 people from five provinces. All fishing boats were called back to harbor.
Vietnam’s military deployed over 346,000 personnel and 8,200 vehicles, including aircraft, to help with rescue and relief operations. Troops have been ordered to stay on high alert, especially in areas prone to landslides.
Vietnam is increasingly vulnerable to powerful storms, and experts say climate change is making extreme weather like Typhoon Kajiki more frequent and intense.
In the first seven months of 2025, over 100 people were reported dead or missing in Vietnam due to natural disasters. The country has already suffered more than $21 million in economic losses this year alone.
Last September, Typhoon Yagi caused $3.3 billion in damages and hundreds of deaths — a reminder of the growing toll of extreme weather on the country’s economy and population.
