Kuwait city: Vietnam has reported significant human and material losses after Typhoon Kajiki struck the country's north-central coast, before moving toward Laos. Thailand is also preparing for the storm's impact, with warnings of flash floods and heavy rainfall.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Vietnam's National Hydrometeorological Service (NHMS) reported that the typhoon killed three people and injured 10 others. The storm damaged approximately 7,000 homes, flooded 28,800 hectares of rice fields, uprooted 18,000 trees, and toppled 331 power poles, leading to widespread power outages.
NHMS noted that Kajiki weakened into a tropical depression as it entered Laos but cautioned that heavy rainfall would persist in northern areas. Some regions are expected to receive up to 150 millimeters of rain in just six hours, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides.
In Laos, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has indicated that the country is preparing for severe weather conditions, including heavy rains and potential floods. These conditions are particularly concerning in the north and east, where sudden landslides and flash floods may occur. Winds of up to 165 km/h could disrupt transport, damage homes, and strain local infrastructure, prompting warnings for communities near rivers.
The Thai Meteorological Department has reported that Kajiki, combined with the southwest monsoon, is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, high waves, and possible flash floods across several regions. Rainfall is forecasted in northern, northeastern, and eastern Thailand, as well as along the west coast of the south. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and mountainous areas to take precautions.
Southeast Asia experiences destructive tropical cyclones annually, with approximately ten major storms each year, making the region highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.