Typhoon Kajiki Causes Fatal Landslides and Flooding in Vietnam and Thailand

Typhoon Kajiki has wreaked havoc across Southeast Asia, leading to devastating landslides and flooding that have claimed at least nine lives and affected millions in Vietnam and Thailand. As of today, the storm, which made landfall on Monday evening, has left a trail of destruction in its wake.

In Vietnam, government reports indicate that seven individuals have lost their lives due to the extreme weather conditions, with one person still unaccounted for. Over 30 people have sustained injuries as the storm unleashed torrential rains, submerging large areas including the capital city, Hanoi. Streets in the metropolis have been inundated, causing vehicles to become stranded in the rising waters. Local residents described scenes of inundated homes, with reports of small fish swimming through the living spaces.

The scale of the damage is significant, with over 8,000 homes reported damaged and thousands of hectares of rice fields flooded. The storm has also left more than 1.6 million people temporarily without electricity.

As Kajiki continued its path toward Laos and Thailand, it weakened into a tropical depression. However, it still caused fatalities in northern Thailand. In the popular tourist destination of Chiang Mai, two individuals died as a result of a landslide in a village, according to local authorities. A twelve-year-old girl remains missing following the incident.

The deputy governor, Chatchawal Panya, reported that at least ten houses were struck by mud and debris, with seven completely destroyed. Many residents suffered injuries but were unable to seek medical help due to the isolation of the village caused by the landslide.

Emergency services are working tirelessly to provide assistance to those affected, as communities begin the arduous process of recovery from this natural disaster.