Kajiki approaching Vietnam’s Nghe An, Ha Tinh, weakens to level 12

At 4:30 pm on Monday, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that the storm had moved little over the past three hours and had weakened to level 12.

In the next three to six hours, the storm is forecast to move west-northwest into the northern Ha Tinh–southern Nghe An region. Strong winds are expected to persist.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall exceeding 500mm has been observed in several areas from the Red River Delta to Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri.

Nguyen Van Huong, head of the weather forecasting department under the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, noted that storm winds weakened from level 13–14 to level 12 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

This weakening was due to friction with land and falling sea surface temperatures caused by earlier rains, reducing the storm’s energy source.

PM orders helicopter rescue readiness

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday issued another directive to relevant ministries and the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hung Yen, and Ninh Binh, urging continued emergency responses to storm No. 5, or storm Kajiki.

The storm poses a high risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous areas, and flooding in urban and lowland areas as well as along rivers and streams.

To ensure public safety, the prime minister instructed all relevant agencies and local governments to implement the highest-level emergency response measures.

Party secretaries and chairpersons of the administrations in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri must continue directing evacuations from dangerous areas.

Provincial leaders are to directly oversee emergency operations in high-risk communes, especially areas prone to isolation during storms and floods.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade must ensure the safety of hydropower dams, the electrical grid, and other sector operations.

The Ministries of National Defense and Public Security were tasked with deploying forces and equipment, including helicopters, to key areas to support evacuations and prepare for rescue missions if needed.

Vehicles banned from North-South Expressway through Nghe An

The Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security said it is closely monitoring storm No. 5 to adjust traffic management and ensure safety.

As of 1:30 pm on Monday, all vehicles are banned from the North-South Expressway section through Nghe An Province for safety reasons. 

Drivers are required to follow traffic police instructions and use alternative routes.

Members of the public are advised to stay updated on government alerts to travel safely during the storm.