Typhoon Kajiki kills three, floods streets in Hanoi, causes widespread damage across Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam : At least three people have died and ten others were injured after Typhoon Kajiki tore through northern and central Vietnam earlier this week, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain that devastated homes, downed trees, and submerged streets in the capital city.

The storm made landfall on Monday, lashing provinces including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh, before weakening into a tropical depression as it moved into Laos. Despite its reduced strength, Kajiki left a trail of destruction in its wake.

According to Vietnam’s government, nearly 7,000 homes were damaged, and 28,800 hectares (over 71,000 acres) of rice paddies were inundated. The typhoon also toppled approximately 18,000 trees and brought down 331 power poles, causing widespread blackouts across several provinces.

In Hanoi, relentless rainfall turned major roads into rivers. Local media reported severe flooding on National Highway 6 — a key route linking the capital to northwestern provinces — with water levels reaching nearly one metre (3.2 feet) in some areas, stalling vehicles and halting traffic.

The national weather agency has warned that heavy rains may continue through Tuesday, with some regions expected to receive up to 150 millimetres (6 inches) of rain within six hours, heightening the risk of landslides and flash floods.

In preparation for the storm, authorities evacuated around 44,000 residents from vulnerable areas across five provinces. All fishing boats were ordered back to shore.

Vietnam’s military has mobilised more than 346,000 personnel and over 8,200 vehicles — including five aircraft — to assist in storm relief and rescue operations. Troops have been placed on high alert, ready to deploy to disaster-prone regions.

So far in 2025, over 100 people have been killed or reported missing due to natural disasters in Vietnam, with economic losses already topping $21 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Typhoon Kajiki’s destruction comes less than a year after Typhoon Yagi struck northern Vietnam in September 2024, causing hundreds of fatalities and an estimated $3.3 billion in economic damage.