According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 5:00 PM on August 25, Kajiki showed little movement and slightly weakened, maintaining wind speeds of 64-75 mph with gusts up to 87-94 mph. By 6:00 PM, the storm's center was located over inland areas of Nghe An - Ha Tinh, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 64 mph and gusts to 81 mph.

Over the next three hours, the storm is expected to move west-northwest at 6-9 mph. Due to its sluggish pace, strong winds associated with Kajiki are likely to persist, extending its damaging effects.

Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Weather Forecasting Department, reported that southern Nghe An and Ha Tinh were experiencing powerful winds of 64-75 mph, gusting up to 94 mph. Northern Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and northern Quang Tri were also being lashed by gale-force winds reaching 40-50 mph.

At sea, winds were stronger. Coastal waters from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri experienced winds of 40-50 mph, while areas near the storm's center recorded sustained winds of 58-75 mph, with gusts up to 96-106 mph.

Mr. Huong highlighted three critical risks. First is wind damage. With the storm’s center moving inland, residents of Nghe An and Ha Tinh should remain on high alert. Second, large-scale rainfall is expected through the night and into tomorrow morning, particularly in areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri. Rainfall totals are forecasted to reach 5.9-11.8 inches, with some locations potentially exceeding 19.7 inches.

Third is the elevated risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas across western Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Quang Tri provinces.

Wind shift warning: the calm before the storm

Mr. Huong also warned of a deceptive lull in coastal regions as the storm's eye passes through. He stressed that the subsequent wind reversal from the storm’s trailing circulation could be just as dangerous - or even more intense - than the initial winds.

Coastal residents in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa, and northern Quang Tri should prepare for sudden wind changes during and after the storm's passage.

The meteorological agency further reported that from this evening through tomorrow, heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue in the northern midlands, Red River Delta, and northern central provinces including Lao Cai, Son La, and Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri. Expected rainfall ranges from 2.7-5.9 inches, with isolated areas exceeding 9.8 inches.

In Hanoi, moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, while Da Nang may experience intermittent rain. Ho Chi Minh City will see thunderstorms mainly in the evening. From August 25 to 27, upper and central Laos will also face significant rainfall, estimated between 3.9-9.8 inches, with some areas topping 19.7 inches.

Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, warned that with such intense rainfall, the risk of flash floods and landslides is extremely high - especially across western Ha Tinh, the Ha Tinh-Quang Tri border, the Ha Tinh-Nghe An border, and the Nghệ An-Thanh Hoa transition zones.

Forecast for the next 6 to 24 hours

By 10:00 PM on August 25, the storm is expected to continue moving west-northwest at 9-12 mph. Its center will remain over land between Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh, weakening to sustained winds of 40-50 mph and gusts up to 64 mph. Disaster risk level: 3, affecting the northern Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi Island) and coastal regions from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri (including Hon Ngu Island).

By 4:00 AM on August 26, Kajiki will move further inland toward central Laos at the same speed, weakening to 25-30 mph winds and gusts of up to 46 mph. Disaster risk level 3 will continue to apply to the northern Gulf of Tonkin and nearby coastal waters.

By 4:00 PM on August 26, the storm is expected to dissipate into a tropical depression over central Laos.

Bao Anh