Typhoon Kajiki brought strong winds and torrential rain to southern China’s Hainan island and parts of Guangdong province on Sunday before moving westward toward Vietnam’s central coast.
China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that around 20,000 residents were evacuated from high-risk areas, while more than 21,000 fishing crew members returned to shore. Boats were ordered back to port as a precaution.
Footage released by Guangdong Radio and Television showed trees bending and branches snapping in the wind, while waves crashed over piers, rocking docked vessels violently.
According to the National Meteorological Center, Kajiki strengthened over open waters with maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometers (100 miles) per hour. Heavy rainfall of up to 35 centimeters (14 inches) was forecast for southern Hainan, including the popular tourist city of Sanya.
Authorities in Sanya closed tourist attractions, businesses, public transport and shipping services, urging residents to remain indoors.
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Kajiki, named after the Japanese word for spearfish or swordfish, is expected to make landfall on Vietnam’s central coast Monday afternoon.
Vietnam’s state news agency said farmers in Hue were hurrying to harvest rice before the storm’s arrival. Coastal provinces banned vessels from going to sea starting Monday and were recalling those still offshore. Local authorities have also been instructed to reinforce dykes, reservoirs, and irrigation systems.
Source: Agency