On August 27, 2025, the aftermath of Tropical Storm Kajiki left a trail of destruction across parts of Southeast Asia, with heavy rains triggering widespread flooding, landslides, and the tragic loss of at least eight lives in Vietnam and Thailand. The storm, which made landfall in central Vietnam on August 25 before weakening into a depression, has tested the resilience of communities and authorities alike, as they grapple with the immediate fallout and brace for further threats in the days ahead.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and The Straits Times, the deluge began in earnest when nearly 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rain fell overnight in parts of northeast Vietnam. The relentless downpour quickly overwhelmed riverside areas, prompting flood warnings that remained in effect well into Wednesday. In the northern and central provinces of Vietnam, the human cost was stark: seven people lost their lives, one person was reported missing, and at least 34 suffered injuries as a direct result of the floods and landslides.
The impact was not confined to Vietnam. In neighboring Thailand, the heavy rain that began on the evening of August 26 and continued into the next day unleashed similar havoc. More than 600 people in northern provinces were affected, with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirming that one person died, several were injured, and seven remained missing—including an eight-year-old child—after a landslide struck a small village in Chiang Mai province. The situation grew so dire that residents in the town of Nan were evacuated as swollen rivers inundated homes, and authorities issued urgent warnings for foothill and low-lying communities near waterways to remain vigilant for flash floods and landslides.
Thailand's Meteorological Department underscored the ongoing risk, cautioning that further heavy rain was likely in the northern and northeastern regions. The warning came as the storm's aftermath continued to disrupt daily life, with many homes damaged and several communities left to pick up the pieces after flash flooding and landslides swept through the region.
Vietnam, meanwhile, faced a daunting recovery effort. As detailed in statements from the Vietnamese government and corroborated by Reuters, more than 10,000 homes and offices were damaged or submerged, and over 86 hectares of rice and cash crops were lost to the floodwaters. The havoc extended to essential infrastructure: toppled electricity poles resulted in blackouts that directly affected 1.6 million people, primarily in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces. Even the capital city, Hanoi, was not spared—its streets were severely flooded as the rain continued to fall, creating logistical headaches ahead of the country's largest National Day parade in decades, scheduled for the following week to mark the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's declaration of independence.
The Vietnamese national weather forecast agency painted a sobering picture for the immediate future. It projected that heavy rain would persist in the northern provinces on August 27, with some areas expected to receive up to 70 millimeters of rain within just three to six hours. The agency warned, "Flash floods and landslides can happen, negatively impacting the environment, threatening people's lives … and causing damages to production and socio-economic activities." These warnings were echoed by local officials, who urged thousands of residents in high-risk areas to evacuate, hoping to avert further casualties as the storm's remnants continued to batter the region.
Before making landfall in Vietnam, Kajiki had already left its mark on China’s southern Hainan Island. On August 24, the storm skirted the southern coast, bringing winds and rain that forced the resort city of Sanya to shutter businesses and suspend public transport. This early disruption was a harbinger of the broader impact Kajiki would have across Southeast Asia as it moved westward, gathering strength and unleashing its fury on communities ill-prepared for such an onslaught.
The scale of the disaster in both Vietnam and Thailand has reignited concerns about the growing risks posed by extreme weather events in the region. Scientists, in a study published in 2024, warned that seas warmed by climate change are likely to cause Southeast Asia’s cyclones to form closer to land, strengthen more rapidly, and persist for longer durations. This, they cautioned, would significantly raise the risks for cities and rural communities alike—an ominous prediction that appears to be playing out with Kajiki’s devastating passage.
In Thailand, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that floods and landslides had affected eight provinces and more than 180 households, as detailed by The Straits Times. The agency’s swift response included mobilizing rescue teams and providing emergency relief to those displaced by the floods. Still, the emotional toll has been immense, particularly for families awaiting news of missing loved ones in the wake of landslides and flash floods. The search for the missing, including the young child in Chiang Mai, continued as authorities worked tirelessly to clear debris and restore access to isolated villages.
Vietnam’s government, too, was quick to act, evacuating thousands from high-risk zones and deploying emergency crews to restore power and distribute aid. The blackout that affected 1.6 million people in Ha Tinh and Nghe An provinces underscored the vulnerability of infrastructure in the face of such storms. The damage to rice and cash crops—over 86 hectares lost—also raised concerns about food security and the economic fallout for farming communities already grappling with the pandemic’s lingering effects.
The timing of Kajiki’s arrival could scarcely have been worse for Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi, set to host a major National Day parade in celebration of the country’s 80th year of independence, found its streets submerged and preparations thrown into disarray. The symbolism of the event—a testament to national pride and unity—stood in stark contrast to the scenes of flooded boulevards and stranded residents, some of whom were photographed sitting on chairs in waterlogged streets, waiting for the waters to recede.
As the region looks to recover, the lessons from Kajiki’s destructive path are sobering. The increasing unpredictability and severity of tropical storms, fueled by climate change, demand a renewed focus on disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and coordinated emergency response. For the families mourning lost loved ones and communities counting the cost of ruined homes and livelihoods, the road to recovery will be long and fraught with challenges. Yet, as authorities and residents alike rally in the face of adversity, there is a quiet determination to rebuild—and to be better prepared for the storms yet to come.