After battering Nghe An and Ha Tinh for hours, Storm No. 5 (Kajiki) has weakened in intensity but continues to unleash strong winds and heavy rain across the region. Forecasters warn the storm will downgrade to a tropical depression by 10 a.m. tomorrow.

At 10 p.m. on August 25, the storm’s center was located at 18.5°N – 105.4°E, on land between southern Nghe An and northern Ha Tinh, with winds of 75-100 km/h (levels 9-10), gusting up to level 12. The storm is moving west-northwest at 10 km/h.

By 10 a.m. on August 26, the storm is expected to weaken into a tropical depression over central Laos, with wind speeds dropping to level 7, gusting at level 9. By late evening, it will further weaken below level 6.

Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, warned of extreme risk of flash floods and landslides overnight and into tomorrow in western Ha Tinh, border areas between Ha Tinh and Quang Tri, Ha Tinh and Nghe An, and between Nghe An and Thanh Hoa.

As of 6 p.m. August 25, the storm left one person dead in Ha Tinh and eight others injured (four in Ha Tinh and four in Quang Tri). Over 621 homes lost their roofs, 144 houses were flooded, and 22 power poles collapsed in Ha Tinh. More than 16,000 hectares of rice fields, 600 hectares of vegetables, and 2,000 hectares of fruit trees were submerged, while thousands of trees were uprooted.

In Nghe An, a hospital newly inaugurated with an investment of over USD 50 million sustained severe storm damage. Cua Lo town was inundated under half a meter of seawater, while powerful winds snapped traffic lights, billboards, and street lamps.

Authorities carried out multiple emergency rescues:

In Thanh Hoa, firefighters saved a family of three trapped by floodwaters.

In Nghe An, rescuers pulled a man from a collapsed house and evacuated nearly 30 households at risk of landslides.

In Ha Tinh, police escorted a woman in labor to a hospital after floodwaters cut off her home, while another team rescued a grandmother, a mother, and three children from a house losing its roof.

At Xang Tren village (Nghe An), cracks spanning over 100 meters forced the evacuation of all 710 residents to safety.

The storm caused massive transport chaos. Over 60 flights were canceled or rerouted, including at Tho Xuan and Dong Hoi airports. Vietnam Railways suspended service after fallen trees blocked the North-South railway in Ha Tinh. Nationwide, 30,000 people were evacuated from coastal provinces between Ninh Binh and Hue.

In Ha Tinh, a truck driver gained attention after maneuvering his vehicle to block strong winds for two motorcyclists, ensuring their safety.

Ha Tinh reported widespread blackouts in 28 out of 69 communes, while Thanh Hoa and Nghe An saw flooding on major roads, paralyzing traffic.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha inspected storm defenses in Nghe An, urging local leaders to review all scenarios and maintain strict adherence to safety measures. Military and police units worked round the clock to help residents reinforce homes, secure boats, and relocate to shelters.

PV