Typhoon Kajiki nears Vietnam coast: Flights cancelled, mass evacuations ordered | World News

Vietnam has begun large-scale evacuations and shut airports as Typhoon Kajiki, the most powerful storm to hit the country this year, approaches its central coast. Authorities said more than half a million people were ordered to leave vulnerable areas, with about 30,000 already relocated as of Monday, according to Reuters.
The storm, packing winds of up to 166 kilometres per hour (103 mph) at sea, was about 110 kilometres (68 miles) off Vietnam’s coast early Monday and was expected to make landfall in the afternoon.
Officials warned of “extremely dangerous” conditions, including flooding and landslides. According to Reuters citing the government, more than 16,500 soldiers and over 100,000 paramilitary personnel have been deployed to support evacuations and emergency response.
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Two airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh provinces were closed, while Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet cancelled or delayed dozens of flights through Monday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. Schools have also been suspended across central provinces in preparation for the storm.
Sanya shuts down as Kajiki batters Hainan
Before heading toward Vietnam, Kajiki brushed past China’s southern Hainan Island on Sunday, bringing strong winds and torrential rain.
The popular resort city of Sanya suspended public transport, shut tour attractions, and ordered all vessels to remain in port, CNN reported.
China’s National Meteorological Center said parts of Hainan could see as much as 320 millimetres (12.6 inches) of rain between Sunday and Monday.Story continues below this ad
Social media posts from residents showed large trees toppled and streets covered with debris. Some families in Sanya sought shelter in underground garages, according to local media cited Reuters.
About 20,000 people were evacuated from high-risk areas across Hainan, and more than 21,000 fishing crew members were brought ashore, state media reported. Video footage from Guangdong province showed waves breaking over piers and winds snapping tree branches, AP said.
Authorities have urged residents in the storm’s path not to leave their homes after 2pm GMT on Sunday and warned of a prolonged impact as Kajiki is expected to move inland across Laos and northern Thailand after landfall.
Meteorologs say the storm is part of a pattern of extreme weather in the region, with recent months bringing record rainfall and natural disasters across China and Southeast Asia.Story continues below this ad
Vietnam’s government compared Kajiki’s strength to Typhoon Yagi, which struck the country less than a year ago, killing around 300 people and causing an estimated $3.3 billion in property damage.
(With inputs from CNN, Reuters, AP)