To proactively prepare for Typhoon Kajiki, thousands of residents in Nghe An and Ha Tinh were evacuated to safety by local authorities before 5:30 p.m. on August 24.

From 2 p.m. on August 24, hundreds of police officers, soldiers, and local volunteers in the communes of Tien Dien, Co Dam, and Dan Hai (Ha Tinh province) began relocating residents to designated shelters.

Tran Quynh Thao, Chairman of Dan Hai Commune People's Committee, stated that due to the storm, sea levels had risen to just 10–15 meters from the Hoi Thong dike, posing a serious risk of breach and endangering hundreds of households.

In response, approximately 600 personnel from various units were mobilized to evacuate 655 households (1,593 people) to safer locations.

"Evacuation orders began at 2 p.m. on August 24. If residents did not comply voluntarily by 5 p.m., we were instructed to enforce the evacuation," said Mr. Thao.

Truong Thi Thanh Xuan, head of Hoi Tien Hamlet, shared that seven local officials, including representatives from the Front Work Committee and the Hamlet Committee, visited 165 households to urge them to evacuate.

"All 495 residents in Hoi Tien Hamlet had to be relocated. We encouraged voluntary relocation to safer homes in other areas. For those unable to relocate themselves, the commune arranged six designated shelters equipped with food, bedding, and other necessities," Ms. Xuan said.

Lieutenant Colonel Doan Duc Long, Commander of Lach Ken Border Guard Station (Co Dam Commune), reported that 30 soldiers were assisting with evacuation efforts in coordination with other units. Up to 3,579 households, totaling more than 11,000 people, were expected to be relocated.

In Tien Dien Commune, residents were also seen moving belongings and securing property. Authorities assisted the Chut ethnic community in Rao Tre village to move to safe shelters.

Vo Ta Nhan, Chairman of Thien Cam Commune People's Committee, said the entire commune, with 1,440 households and over 4,300 people, was ordered to evacuate. Besides private homes, four local schools were designated as temporary shelters.

Due to the high number of evacuees, hundreds of personnel, including local militia and youth union members, were mobilized to support the operation, aiming to minimize losses.

In light of the storm’s severity, Ha Tinh province established a forward command center in the former Nghi Xuan District. Provincial Chairman Vo Trong Hai conducted on-site inspections and directed storm preparedness efforts in the province’s northern coastal areas.

He instructed core forces, including the military, police, and port management agencies, to assist fishermen in securing vessels against the impending storm. The typhoon was forecast to be particularly intense and widespread, and residents were warned not to let their guard down before or after landfall.

In Nghe An province, local authorities, under central government directives, urgently organized preparedness meetings in upland communes. Residents were guided on how to brace for the storm and reduce risks.

On August 24, the People's Committee of Muong Tip Commune held an emergency meeting with village leaders to implement immediate evacuation plans for residents living near streams and areas prone to landslides and flash floods.

In Nhon Mai Commune, detailed plans were drawn up to relocate residents from 19 villages to safer locations, including schools, government housing, community centers, and offices.

For high-risk areas such as Xoi Voi village (29 households, 135 residents) and Co Ha village (21 households, 84 residents), relocation was arranged to community centers. Others voluntarily evacuated to higher ground homes.

More than 2,000 evacuated in Dien Chau

By the afternoon of August 24, Dien Chau District (Nghe An) had relocated more than 2,000 people from high-risk areas. Eight designated shelters were set up in local schools.

At Dien Bich Primary School, nearly 500 people from the hamlets of Hai Bac, Chien Thang, and Bac Chien Thang sought refuge. Each room accommodated 10–15 people using classroom furniture converted into sleeping areas with mats provided.

Pham Thi Nam, 85, a disabled resident from Hai Bac Hamlet, was safely evacuated with assistance from the local authorities.

Local officers went door to door in coastal and riverside hamlets to persuade residents to secure their homes and evacuate to shelters.

At Dien Bich Primary School, evacuees like Dau Thi Tuyet were seen eating instant noodles as they awaited the storm’s landfall.

“We received urgent instructions from the provincial People's Committee to evacuate people from danger zones. All officials and workers were deployed to assist with the operation. No one was left behind,” said Tran Thanh Giang, Deputy Chairman of Dien Chau Commune People's Committee.

“All necessary supplies, including noodles, dried food, clean water, and life jackets, were distributed to ensure that no resident goes hungry or thirsty,” he added.

With Typhoon Kajiki’s trajectory becoming increasingly complex, central provinces such as Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Da Nang were racing against time to implement safety measures to protect lives and property.