Thailand Alongside Vietnam, Laos and China Might Get Battered By Typhoon Kajiki: Here’s a Complete List of All Travel Restrictions, Flight Cancellations, and Suspensions

Written By: Somudranil Sarkar

Somudranil Sarkar

Somudranil Sarkar is a literary artist whose writing blends precision with imagination, delving deep into human emotions and societal constructs. As a writer, he crafts stories that breathe life into abstract ideas, creating worlds where language serves as both paint and canvas. As an editor, Sarkar shapes narratives that resonate globally, elevating writing beyond grammar to tell meaningful, profound stories. His work challenges readers to reflect, question, and understand the world more deeply. With his unique vision, Sarkar pushes boundaries, leaving a lasting imprint on both literature and the way we connect through words.

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August 25, 2025 06:04 GMT+5:30

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Typhoon Kajiki is set to cause widespread disruptions across Vietnam, China, Laos, and Thailand. As the storm intensifies, Vietnam has begun evacuating over 500,000 people from provinces like Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang, with flight cancellations and vessel restrictions in place. Vietnam Airlines has cancelled at least 22 flights, including major routes to and from Huế and Đồng Hới, while authorities have suspended all maritime activities. In China, the Hainan island region, particularly Sanya city, has been hit by 152 mph winds, leading to the evacuation of 20,000 residents and the closure of tourist attractions and public transport. Meanwhile, Laos braces for heavy rains and flooding, as the storm weakens into a low-pressure system, with impacts expected to start by Tuesday. In Thailand, provinces like Nan and Chiang Mai are on high alert for flash floods and severe rain as the storm tracks through the region, bringing potential disruptions to local travel and infrastructure. The storm’s progress continues to prompt widespread warnings and emergency responses across these countries, with a focus on minimizing the damage from flooding and ensuring the safety of residents.

The Impact of Typhoon Kajiki: A Regional Crisis Across Vietnam, Laos, China, and Thailand

Typhoon Kajiki has been one of the most formidable storms to have affected Southeast Asia in recent times, with its devastating effects felt across multiple countries, including Vietnam, China, Laos, and Thailand. As it moved through the region, it brought with it catastrophic weather, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding. Authorities in these countries have scrambled to manage the damage, evacuate citizens, and prepare for the next phase of the storm’s journey. The storm’s wrath, although expected to weaken in some areas, has left a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing extensive disruptions.

Vietnam: Major Evacuations and Preparation for Typhoon Kajiki’s Arrival

In Vietnam, the authorities had initiated extensive evacuation procedures to safeguard the citizens living in the storm’s path. Over 500,000 people were evacuated from four central coastal provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue, and Danang, ahead of Typhoon Kajiki’s expected landfall. The Vietnamese government issued orders for over 150,000 households to seek shelter inland as strong winds and heavy rains were anticipated to affect the area. The typhoon, traveling across the South China Sea with wind speeds of 175 km/h, prompted both flight cancellations and vessel bans in several regions.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, two of the country’s largest carriers, had to cancel flights to and from central cities, including Hanoi, Hué, and Ho Chi Minh City. These cancellations were part of the precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff. By the morning of August 24, the Phú Bài Airport in Huế had suspended all flight operations, as the city braced for the typhoon’s full force. Further cancellations were also expected at Đồng Hới and Thọ Xuân airports, with flights planned for August 25 being cancelled or delayed.

Local authorities in central provinces like Quang Tri, Thanh Hóa, and Nghe An focused on securing boats and preventing any further maritime activity. Hundreds of boats were anchored to prevent collisions in rough seas, while thousands of local fishermen were advised to secure their vessels or remain ashore. By early Saturday morning, local forces had accounted for nearly 3,000 fishing boats, ensuring that all were secured in ports, reducing the risks of damage. In Nghe An, authorities set up task forces to provide assistance to the fishermen and local communities, reinforcing structures to withstand the incoming storm.

As the storm neared the coastline, authorities had warned of the possibility of flash floods, landslides, and severe disruptions to the coastal and offshore activities. The central government issued advisories to reinforce dykes, reservoirs, and irrigation works ahead of the heavy rains expected to come with Typhoon Kajiki. As it approached, the storm was anticipated to bring wind speeds of 200 km/h and up to 400 mm of rainfall. The Vietnamese government’s emergency response plans were put into full motion as citizens in coastal and low-lying areas were urged to remain alert and follow official instructions.

China: Hainan Island Braces for Impact

The storm’s fury was also felt in China, particularly on Hainan Island, where Sanya, the southern resort city, found itself in the direct path of the storm. In preparation for Typhoon Kajiki’s arrival, a red typhoon alert was issued, and public services were suspended. Schools, businesses, and tourist attractions were closed, while public transportation was completely shut down. Officials in Sanya, Hainan’s most prominent tourist destination, made preparations for the worst-case scenario, ensuring that residents were safe and informed.

Hainan’s authorities evacuated over 20,000 people from areas deemed to be at risk, and the city’s emergency response teams were placed on high alert. The National Meteorological Center reported that Typhoon Kajiki made landfall in Hainan, packing maximum sustained winds of 156 mph (approximately 250 km/h) near its center. Despite weakening somewhat after land interaction, the typhoon continued to unleash devastating winds and rainfall, resulting in widespread flooding.

As Typhoon Kajiki moved across Hainan, authorities issued warnings of extreme weather conditions. The island faced heavy rainfall, with forecasts predicting as much as 320 mm of precipitation. Hainan’s province was battered by the strongest winds recorded in the city’s history, triggering significant disruption. Sanya, a city known for its seafront resorts and sandy beaches, saw blocks of flats partially hidden by mist and spray as heavy rainfall and gale-force winds lashed the area. This was followed by reports of trees crashing onto parked cars and huge waves hitting the island’s southern shores.

Emergency services in Hainan were put on the highest level of alert, and residents were advised to heed official warnings regarding possible flooding and property damage. The strength of Typhoon Kajiki was likened to the devastating impact of previous storms like Typhoon Yagi, which caused massive damage to Vietnam in the previous year. With the ongoing extreme weather, a total of 20,000 people had been evacuated, and authorities were closely monitoring the situation.

Laos: The Aftermath and Heavy Rains

As Typhoon Kajiki weakened, it began its journey inland, moving towards Laos. By Tuesday, August 26, it was expected to transform into a depression and travel across northern Laos, affecting provinces such as Nan, Phayao, and Udon Thani. Despite losing its full strength, Kajiki continued to bring significant rainfall to these areas, contributing to an elevated risk of flash flooding and landslides.

In Laos, authorities began preparing for the storm’s arrival, issuing warnings of heavy rains and flooding. Provinces in the north, which are often prone to flooding during the rainy season, were closely monitored. Meteorologists indicated that the rainfall could be substantial, with a risk of rising rivers and inundation in vulnerable areas. The storm’s remnants were likely to continue affecting the region well into the following days, creating challenges for local disaster response teams.

Local governments in Laos worked to reinforce flood defences and evacuate people from high-risk zones. In flood-prone districts, houses were reinforced, and evacuation plans were put into place. The ongoing rainfall added to the pre-existing flood risks, and it was anticipated that efforts to prevent further casualties would intensify.

Thailand: Preparations for Heavy Rains and Potential Flooding

By Tuesday evening, Typhoon Kajiki reached Thailand, where it was expected to bring more heavy rainfall and possible flooding. According to the Meteorological Department, the storm, now weakened into a low-pressure system, was predicted to impact the northern region of Thailand, particularly in Nan province. The storm’s impact extended to other provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phrae. Heavy rains were forecast for the upper Northeast from Sunday through Tuesday, with possible flooding affecting vulnerable areas.

Thailand’s authorities acted swiftly to address the potential dangers posed by the storm. Preparations included issuing flood warnings, reinforcing flood barriers, and providing assistance to people living in areas with a high risk of flooding. Local governments activated emergency response teams to monitor flood-prone regions, and evacuation plans were put in place for areas expected to face severe flooding. In addition, the Thai government ordered the closure of schools and public facilities in affected areas as a precautionary measure.

Regional Disaster Response and Aid Efforts

The aftermath of Typhoon Kajiki, as it passed through Vietnam, China, Laos, and Thailand, highlighted the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events. The storm served as a reminder of the devastating impacts of typhoons, flooding, and landslides in Southeast Asia. Emergency services were stretched thin, and governments across these nations mobilized their disaster response units to provide assistance to the affected populations.

The region has witnessed significant international support in the wake of the disaster. International aid and rescue operations were mobilized to provide assistance to the affected countries, particularly in Vietnam, where the storm’s impact was most severe. Countries such as Australia have pledged financial aid to assist in recovery efforts, with $3 million allocated to help rebuild communities in Vietnam, which were hit hard by Typhoon Yagi the previous year.

The passage of Typhoon Kajiki across Vietnam, China, Laos, and Thailand serves as a stark reminder of the increasing severity of tropical storms and their widespread effects on vulnerable populations. While the storm has weakened as it moved inland, the damage caused in its wake has been significant, with flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage affecting millions of people. Evacuations, flight cancellations, and other emergency measures have been implemented to minimize casualties and disruptions. Moving forward, it is likely that these nations will continue to face challenges in managing the aftermath of this catastrophic storm. With more severe weather events anticipated, governments will need to bolster their preparedness and resilience in the face of such natural disasters.

Sources:

1. Deutsche Welle (DW)
2. Meteorological Department of Thailand
3. BBC Weather
4. The Manila Times
5. Xinhua News Agency
6. National Meteorological Center of China