Typhoon Kajiki,known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Isang,was a powerful tropical cyclone that impacted Northern Vietnam after skirting the southern portion of Hainan Island in late August 2025. The thirteenth named storm and fifth typhoon of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season,Kajiki originated from an area of low pressure east of the Philippines on August 22.
Kajiki made its first landfall over Casiguran,Aurora at 09:50 PHT (01:50 UTC) as a weak tropical depression. It slightly weakened as it crossed Quirino through Ifugao before emerging into the South China Sea on August 23. Kajiki intensified over the South China Sea,reaching one-minute sustained winds of up to 175km/h (110mph). Kajiki then skirted southern coast of Hainan,bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the island before making landfall between NghệAn and HàTĩnh at around 18:00 ICT (11:00 UTC) on August 25. Moving westward through inland areas,the remnants of Kajiki later brought heavy rains and winds over Thailand and Myanmar before it eventually dissipated on the following day.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On August 20, a low-pressure area entered the PAR east of southeastern Luzon.[1] On August 22, the PAGASA upgraded the system, by then located east of Aurora, into a tropical depression and named it Isang.[2] The JMA also classified the system as a tropical depression at 01:10 UTC, while the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), citing favorable conditions for development in the coming days.[3] Later that day, Isang made landfall over Casiguran, Aurora at around 09:50 PHT (01:50 UTC).[4] At 15:00 UTC, the JTWC upgraded the system to a tropical depression, designating it as 19W,[citation needed] as it entered the West Philippine Sea.[5]
By 06:30 PHT on August 23 (22:30 UTC), Isang had emerged into the South China Sea, where it continued to intensify under highly favorable conditions, including low wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures, and southwestward upper-level diffluence.[6][7] At 10:05 JST (01:05 UTC), 19W strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Kajiki by the JMA as it moved west-northwestward. However, while tracking east-northeast of Đà Nẵng, satellite imagery revealed that moderate 27–37km/h (15–20kn) vertical wind shear slightly hindered development, leaving the low-level circulation center (LLCC) partially exposed along the eastern edge of convection. Despite this, microwave imagery showed that deep convective banding wrapped into the circulation.[8] At 21:50 JST (12:50 UTC), the JMA upgraded Kajiki to a severe tropical storm as it steadily intensified while moving westwards along the southern periphery of the subtropical high. Both the JMA and the JTWC upgraded the storm into a typhoon early the next day, with the latter classifying it as a Category1-equivalent typhoon.[9] The storm later developed a ragged eye, indicating that it underwent structural organization, which denoted a sign of intensification. Kajiki also depicted a well-defined LLCC, suggested that deep convection wrapped more tightly around the center.[10] At 14:00 UTC, the JTWC upgraded Kajiki into a Category2-equivalent typhoon, noting its compact core, with a 23-nautical-mile-wide (43km; 26mi) eye, skirting the southern coast of the island of Hainan[yue; de; id; sv; uk; vi].[11] Afterwards, Kajiki slightly weakened, with satellite imagery depicted warming clouds along the western periphery of the typhoon, hinting a weakening trend as it neared the Gulf of Tonkin, where there was less ocean heat content.[12] Kajiki later underwent an eyewall replacement cycle, indicating the beginning of its weakening, with a compact inner core, a calm band surrounding it, and a developing secondary eyewall. However, the system still has a strong poleward and equatorward outflow.[13][14] Kajiki made landfall between Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh around 18:00 ICT (11:00 UTC) on August 25. Afterwards, the JTWC issued its final warning at 15:00 UTC as it moved inland. Meanwhile, the JMA continued to track Kajiki as it traversed Vietnam as a depression until the system, reportedly, dissipated at 18:00 UTC on August 26.
The storm, along with the southwest monsoon, caused extensive flooding in Metro Manila.[20] Nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated from villages near the Mayon Volcano as heavy rains from the two weather systems were expected to trigger lahar flows and flash floods.[21] Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that over 3,627 families were affected by the storm and distributed ₱1.6 million(US$32,487.31) worth of aid to those affected.[22][23] The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 50,678 people in different regions were affected by the storm and the contribution of southwest monsoon, with Bangsamoro being the most affected region. Two houses in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Soccsksargen were partially damaged due to the two weather systems. The NDRRMC had also distributed assistance worth ₱1.71 million(US$34,640.51) to the victims.[22]
In Hainan, a Level IV emergency response for flood and typhoon control was activated as strong winds and downpours are expected to hit its sea areas and islands. The National Meteorological Center of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) also issued a yellow warning on August 23 in preparation for Kajiki.[33] On August 24, the agency in Sanya raised the typhoon warning to red, citing that Kajiki had gained more strength as it approaches the island. As a result, all classes, work, public transport, and maritime travel were suspended, including the closure of tourist sites.[citation needed]
Although the typhoon did not make a direct landfall in Hainan, heavy rain and strong winds battered the island and nearby parts of Guangdong province.[34]Xinhua News Agency said that more than 20,000 people were evacuated from hazardous areas while 30,769 fishing vessels were also docked ahead of the storm.[35] The province also stockpiled emergency supplies and more than 2,800 emergency responders, with necessary vehicles and rescue equipment were also on standby in order to mitigate the potential impacts from the typhoon. Authorities had also advised the public to remain indoors and avoid coastal zones and temporary structures.[36]
Vietnam
Authorities from Thanh Hóa to northern Quảng Trị raised the disaster risk as the storm neared the country.[37] Vietnam carriers, such as Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet canceled dozens of flights ahead of the storm. More than 325,000 residents in some coastal provinces were planned to evacuate as Kajiki approached the country.[38] Several coastal provinces also temporarily banned boats from leaving offshore on August 24.[39] Three passenger trains of Vietnam Railways were suspended in preparation for the typhoon. Authorities also warned the public to stay indoors and the risk of flash floods and landslides. Tho Xuan Airport[a] and Dong Hoi Airport[b] temporarily suspended operations on August 25 to ensure the safety of passengers, equipment, and facilities.[40]
Kajiki caused one fatality, injured eight people,[41] damaged or flooded 933 structures, uprooted 40,424 trees and affected 29,850ha (73,800 acres) of crops in Hà Tĩnh province.[42] There was also one fatality each in Ninh Bình and Nghệ An provinces.[43] In Kim Hoa district[vi], Hà Tĩnh province, one person was killed and another was seriously injured while repairing the roof of their home in preparation for the typhoon.[44] Flooding at a hydropower plant killed one worker and left two civilians missing in Sa Pa, Lào Cai province.[45] In total, Kajiki resulted in 47 injuries and left four individuals missing in Thanh Hóa, Tuyên Quang and Sơn La provinces. The widespread impact included 1.55 million people affected by power outages,[46] 17 buildings destroyed, and damage to or flooding of 34,756 homes, 380 schools, 102 boats, 44 health facilities, and 72 other structures. Additionally, 239 landslides disrupted traffic, and more than 116,700ha (288,000 acres) of crops across the country were affected.[42] Damage in Nghệ An province exceeded ₫1.48 trillion(US$63.69 million).[47] Damage in Hà Tĩnh province reached ₫2.9 trillion(US$125.22 million)[48] and ₫358 billion(US$15.46 million) in Quảng Trị province.[49]
Elsewhere
In Khammouane province of Laos, heavy rainfall flooded eight villages. Flash floods also hit Xaysomboun province after several days of continuous rain, causing rivers to overflow and inundate homes and roads.[50]
In Myanmar, Kajiki produced heavy rains across the country, causing flooding in Tatkon Township, where hundreds of people were evacuated.[54] In Pinlaung Township, Shan State, a landslide killed two people, injured 15 others and destroyed 15 homes.[55]
Typhoon Damrey (2005) – A moderately strong and deadly typhoon that took a similar path
Typhoon Ketsana (2009) – A devastating typhoon that caused widespread destruction across the Philippines and Vietnam; also took a comparable trajectory to Kajiki
Typhoon Doksuri (2017) – A strong and damaging typhoon that also struck Northern Vietnam
Typhoon Yagi (2024) – An extremely destructive and devastating typhoon that also struck Hainan and Northern Vietnam
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