Typhoon Kajiki Death Toll Rises

AFP/APP

Vietnam: Typhoon Kajiki has left a trail of destruction across Vietnam, killing at least three people and injuring 13 as rescue teams work to clear debris and restore access to communities affected by severe flooding.

The storm struck central Vietnam on Monday with winds reaching 130 kilometres per hour, damaging thousands of homes and disrupting electricity supplies to more than 1.6 million people.

Authorities have warned of flash floods and landslides in eight provinces as heavy rains continue, while more than 44,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm.

In Vinh, soldiers and emergency crews were deployed to remove uprooted trees, power lines and sections of damaged roofs from roads. Residents described scenes of destruction after strong winds tore apart buildings and sent debris crashing into streets.

Flooding has also isolated 27 villages in mountainous areas, complicating rescue and relief operations.

The storm’s impact extended to the capital, Hanoi, where intense rainfall flooded major roads and brought traffic to a standstill. Residents reported being unable to leave their homes, while commuters were trapped for hours in congested streets.

After crossing Vietnam, Kajiki weakened into a tropical depression and moved towards northern Laos, bringing further heavy rainfall. The Laos-China high-speed railway suspended services for two days, while several roads were rendered impassable. No casualties had been reported in Laos.

The latest disaster has renewed concerns over Vietnam’s vulnerability to increasingly severe weather events. Experts say human-driven climate change is contributing to stronger storms and raising the risk of destructive flooding across tropical regions.

Vietnam has experienced a series of deadly natural disasters in recent years. According to the agriculture ministry, more than 100 people were killed or reported missing in disasters during the first seven months of 2025.

Last September, Typhoon Yagi caused widespread devastation across northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, killing more than 700 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.