(Chiang Mai/Hanoi, 28th Combined News) After typhoon ‘Kajiki’ claimed seven lives in Vietnam, it continued to wreak havoc in northern and northeastern Thailand early Wednesday morning, triggering floods and landslides that resulted in two deaths, one missing 12-year-old girl, and over 10 people injured.
Disaster-hit provinces in northern Thailand include tourist hotspots Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. Authorities have warned of continued heavy rainfall in the next day or two, which could cause even larger-scale disasters.
Although ‘Kajiki’ was downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall in Thailand, it was still accompanied by strong winds and rain, causing serious damage. Continuous rain triggered a landslide in a village in Mae Suek, Chiang Mai, in the early hours of Wednesday (August 27), with at least 10 houses buried by mudslides, seven of which were completely destroyed.
According to Thai media reports, the landslide has resulted in two deaths and a missing 12-year-old girl. Authorities have dispatched rescue personnel to the site. Road blockages have hampered timely transportation of the injured to hospitals, and it remains uncertain if there will be more casualties.
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Deputy Director-General Saharat stated that eight provinces in the north and northeast have been affected, with at least 186 households and over 650 people impacted. Some disaster areas have experienced power outages and communication disruptions.
The Thai Meteorological Department forecasted on Wednesday that under the influence of the tropical storm, some northern areas will see heavy or torrential rain, specifically Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, and Nan. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant against flash floods and landslides, especially on hillsides and low-lying areas near rivers.
Meanwhile, according to Vietnam News Agency, ‘Kajiki’ made landfall in Vietnam’s Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces on Monday (August 25) evening, causing seven deaths, one missing, and 34 injuries. Additionally, 15 houses were destroyed, with more than 8,700 homes, 63 schools, and eight medical facilities damaged.
The Vietnamese government issued a statement saying that the heavy rain has destroyed more than 81,500 hectares of rice fields and 4,500 hectares of crops. Major roads in Hanoi have been flooded, paralyzing traffic in some areas.