Two tropical systems are bringing unsettled weather across the Western Pacific on Sunday, raising concerns for flooding in the Philippines, southern China and northern Vietnam.
The stronger of the two systems is Tropical Storm Kajiki, locally known in the Philippines as Isang, which is approaching Hainan Island. Forecasters say Kajiki has likely reached typhoon strength, with maximum sustained winds near 120 to 140 kilometers per hour. The storm is expected to make landfall in southern China before moving inland toward northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
Rainfall is expected to be the primary hazard. Some areas could see 300 to 500 millimeters of rain, increasing the risk of widespread flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous and low-lying regions. “Even if Kajiki weakens slightly before landfall, the amount of moisture being carried inland is enough to cause serious flooding,” meteorologist Robert Speta said.
Meanwhile, a broad low-pressure area east of the Philippines is delivering heavy rains to Visayas, Mindanao and parts of Northern Luzon. Although it has not developed into a tropical storm, the system is producing widespread showers and thunderstorms associated with a strong monsoon flow. Forecasters warn of localized flooding and landslides across the affected regions, even without formal tropical cyclone classification.
Weather models show the system remaining disorganized, with only a small chance of intensification. “It’s a broad gyre of low pressure rather than a compact tropical storm,” Speta said. “The impacts, however, are very real for communities in the Philippines — especially flooding in urban and mountainous areas.”
The Philippines has already seen days of heavy downpours tied to the monsoonal circulation. More rainfall is forecast through Monday, with Subic, Baguio and parts of Cagayan Valley expected to receive some of the heaviest totals.
As Kajiki moves farther west, attention will shift to coastal areas of Vietnam and southern China. Both countries are bracing for the storm to deliver damaging winds, storm surge and flooding rains before it weakens inland.