“Residents wade through flooded streets in Hanoi after Typhoon Kajiki triggered widespread flooding and blackouts across northern Vietnam. Image credit: China Daily HK
Typhoon Kajiki and the floods it unleashed have claimed at least eight lives—seven in Vietnam and one in Thailand—according to official reports released on August 27. Vietnamese authorities have cautioned that more flash floods and landslides are expected in the coming days as heavy rains continue.
The tropical storm made landfall in Vietnam on the afternoon of August 25 before weakening into a tropical depression. Despite its downgrade, Kajiki has left behind widespread devastation, triggering severe floods and landslides in both Vietnam and Thailand.
In Thailand, eight provinces have been battered by relentless rainfall, which led to flooding and landslides that affected more than 180 households, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirmed on August 27.
Vietnam has borne the brunt of the storm’s impact. The Vietnamese government reported that over 10,000 homes, offices, and buildings were damaged or submerged, alongside more than 86 hectares of rice fields and cash crops. The disaster also toppled electricity poles, resulting in mass blackouts that disrupted power for about 1.6 million people, particularly in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces.
The capital city of Hanoi has also been overwhelmed by floodwaters as torrential rain continued to fall. The flooding comes just days before Vietnam prepares for its largest National Day celebration in decades, marking the 80th anniversary of its independence declaration. Authorities are working urgently to mitigate the damage as the event draws near.
According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, northern provinces will continue to experience heavy rainfall through August 27. Some areas are expected to receive as much as 70 millimeters of rain in just three to six hours. The agency warned that the ongoing downpours pose a high risk of flash floods and landslides, which could further threaten lives, disrupt production, and hinder socio-economic activities in affected regions.
With rains showing no signs of easing, both Vietnam and Thailand remain on high alert. Rescue teams and disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation while working to provide relief for thousands of affected residents.
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