What's happened
Typhoon Kajiki struck central Vietnam on August 25, bringing winds up to 115 mph and heavy rains causing flooding, landslides, and power outages. Over 600,000 people were evacuated, with at least 12 deaths reported across Vietnam and Thailand. The storm damaged tens of thousands of homes and rice plantations. Kajiki weakened as it moved inland but left ongoing flood risks in the region.
What's behind the headline?
Impact and Regional Vulnerability
Typhoon Kajiki's rapid intensification and destructive landfall highlight the increasing vulnerability of Southeast Asia to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. The storm's winds and torrential rains caused widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage, particularly in Vietnam's central provinces and northern Thailand.
Climate Change and Storm Behavior
Scientific studies cited by multiple sources confirm that warming seas are causing cyclones in Southeast Asia to form closer to land, strengthen faster, and last longer. Kajiki exemplifies this trend, with its rapid growth from a tropical depression to a powerful typhoon in under two days.
Human and Economic Costs
The evacuation of over 600,000 people and mobilization of military personnel underscore the scale of the emergency response. Damage to over 81,500 hectares of rice and thousands of homes threatens food security and livelihoods. The death toll, including fatalities from landslides in Thailand, reflects the deadly consequences of such storms.
Forecast and Ongoing Risks
Although Kajiki weakened after landfall, heavy rains persisted, prolonging flood and landslide risks in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Another tropical depression in the South China Sea threatens to extend these hazards, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
Broader Context
This event fits into a pattern of increasingly severe monsoon and tropical storm impacts across Asia, with 2025 marking the wettest monsoon season in over a decade in parts of India and Pakistan. The storm also affected southern China’s Hainan Island, prompting evacuations and closures.
Outlook
Authorities must prepare for continued extreme weather events, emphasizing improved forecasting, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response. The storm underscores the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions.
What the papers say
The Guardian provides a comprehensive overview of Kajiki's progression and impact, noting seven deaths in Vietnam and five in Thailand due to flooding and landslides, with over 10,000 homes damaged and significant agricultural losses. Paul Brown in The Guardian highlights the broader challenge of weather-related disruptions, including landslides, and the need for improved prediction and prevention.
Al Jazeera offers detailed accounts of evacuations and military mobilization in Vietnam, reporting over 44,000 people evacuated before landfall and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. It also emphasizes the role of climate change in intensifying storms, quoting officials on the unprecedented scale of Kajiki.
Bloomberg focuses on the agricultural impact, reporting destruction of more than 81,500 hectares of rice and 4,500 hectares of other crops, underscoring the economic toll.
The Moscow Times reports on related flooding and emergency declarations in Russia's Sakhalin region, illustrating the wider pattern of extreme weather in Asia linked to climate change.
The Independent and AP News provide consistent details on evacuations, flight cancellations, and storm weakening after landfall, with AP quoting experts like Benjamin Horton on the alarming speed of climate-driven changes in cyclone behavior.
South China Morning Post and SBS add local perspectives from Vietnam, describing the storm's effects on coastal cities like Vinh and the extensive preparations undertaken, including military deployment and infrastructure shutdowns.
Together, these sources paint a detailed picture of a rapidly intensifying typhoon causing widespread human, economic, and environmental impacts, set against the backdrop of climate change-driven shifts in storm patterns.
How we got here
Typhoon Kajiki rapidly intensified over the South China Sea in late August 2025, becoming one of the strongest storms to hit Vietnam this year. The region is prone to seasonal typhoons, but climate change is increasing their intensity and unpredictability, leading to more severe flooding and landslides.
Go deeper
- How is climate change affecting typhoon intensity in Southeast Asia?
- What emergency measures did Vietnam take during Typhoon Kajiki?
- What are the ongoing risks after Kajiki's landfall?
Common question
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How Are Countries Preparing for and Responding to Typhoon Kajiki?
As Typhoon Kajiki rapidly approaches Vietnam and China, governments are taking urgent steps to protect residents and infrastructure. From evacuations to emergency measures, learn how nations respond to extreme weather events like this powerful storm. Curious about what actions are being taken and how you can stay safe? Read on for answers to common questions about typhoon preparedness and response.
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How Are Extreme Weather Events and Economic Slowdowns Connected?
Recent headlines highlight a worrying trend: severe weather events like typhoons are intensifying while economies around the world are slowing down. This raises important questions about how climate change and economic instability influence each other. Are natural disasters making economies weaker? Could economic struggles worsen the impact of climate crises? Below, we explore these critical issues and what they mean for the future.
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How Do Natural Disasters and Economic Challenges Impact Daily Life and Job Opportunities?
Recent events like Typhoon Kajiki approaching Vietnam and a slowdown in the global job market have raised questions about how natural disasters and economic crises affect our everyday lives. From job prospects to personal safety, understanding these impacts can help you prepare better for uncertain times. Below, we explore common questions about how these challenges influence individuals and businesses alike.
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What Are the Latest Safety Tips and Updates for Residents in Typhoon-Prone Regions?
With Typhoon Kajiki approaching Vietnam and impacting neighboring regions, residents in storm-prone areas need to stay informed and prepared. This page covers essential safety tips, emergency supplies, evacuation routes, and community strategies to help you stay safe during severe weather events. Read on to find out how to protect yourself and your loved ones when a typhoon strikes.
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What Are the Long-Term Effects of Climate-Related Disasters on Economies and Societies?
Climate-related disasters like typhoons, floods, and storms are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. These events not only cause immediate damage but also have lasting impacts on economies and communities. Curious about how repeated storms affect local economies, social stability, and policy changes? Below, we explore the long-term consequences of these natural disasters and how societies are responding and rebuilding.
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How Are Typhoons Like Kajiki Affecting Southeast Asia and Climate Change?
Typhoon Kajiki has recently struck Vietnam, China, and Thailand, causing widespread damage and evacuations. As storms grow stronger and more unpredictable, many wonder how climate change influences these extreme weather events. Below, we explore what Typhoon Kajiki is, how climate change impacts storm severity, and what safety measures are in place to protect communities in Southeast Asia.
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Are Extreme Weather Events Linked to Political Instability?
Recent natural disasters like Typhoon Kajiki in Vietnam and rising tensions in Moldova and Australia have raised questions about the connection between extreme weather and political stability. As climate change intensifies storms and floods, many wonder how these environmental crises impact governments and regional security. Below, we explore common questions about the relationship between climate events and political unrest, responses across different regions, and what recent incidents reveal about our global future.
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How are governments and communities responding to recent crises?
Recent global events have prompted swift and varied responses from governments and communities worldwide. From natural disasters like typhoons to geopolitical tensions and local emergencies, authorities are taking critical steps to protect citizens and maintain stability. Curious about how different regions are handling these challenges? Below are some key questions and answers that shed light on current responses to recent crises.
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What Are the Broader Implications of Today’s Major News Stories?
Today’s headlines highlight critical issues from climate-driven natural disasters to geopolitical tensions and local crises. Understanding these stories helps us grasp how global events are interconnected and what they mean for our security, environment, and future. Below, we explore key questions about these developments and their wider impact.
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How Strong Was Typhoon Kajiki and What Damage Did It Cause?
Typhoon Kajiki struck Vietnam with winds reaching up to 166 km/h, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and evacuations. As climate change fuels more intense storms, understanding Kajiki's impact and the broader implications becomes crucial. Below, explore key questions about this powerful storm, its effects, and what it means for the future of weather events in Southeast Asia.
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What’s Happening with Typhoon Kajiki in Vietnam?
Typhoon Kajiki has recently made landfall in Vietnam, bringing heavy rains, flooding, and widespread evacuations. As climate change continues to intensify storms, understanding the current situation and its broader implications is crucial. Below, we answer key questions about Kajiki, how climate change affects storms, and what regions are most at risk.
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What’s Next for Today’s Top News Stories?
Stay informed about the biggest news today with our quick guide. From climate disasters to political tensions, here are the key questions people are asking and what you need to know about these major events. Keep reading to understand how these stories connect, what’s happening now, and how to stay updated on ongoing crises and developments.
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Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia and the easternmost country on the Indochinese Peninsula. With an estimated 96.2 million inhabitants as of 2019, it is the 15th most populous country in the world. Vietn
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Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam. It covers an area of 3,358.6 square kilometres. It is the second largest city in Vietnam, with over eight million residents within city proper and an estimated population of 20 million within the metropolitan area.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is the only landlocked country of the Indochinese peninsula and Southeast Asia. Clockwise from North, Laos is bordered China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.