The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) informed that Storm Linfa, the sixth to hit Vietnam this year, has weakened into a tropical depression and is gradually dissipating after making landfall in the central provinces from Quang Nam to Quang Ngai on the morning of October 11.
However, yesterday afternoon, a new tropical depression appeared in the northeastern area of the East Sea. At 7 am this morning (October 12), the tropical depression was about 550km from Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago to the northeast, packing strongest wind at 50-60kph.
It is forecasted that in the next 24 hours, the tropical depression would move in the northwest direction at a speed of 20kph and is likely to strengthen into a new storm. By 7 am on October 13, the location of the storm was about 200km north of Hoang Sa Archipelago, packing winds from 60-90kph.
Meanwhile, heavy rains have continued in the central localities from Ha Tinh to Da Nang, with rainfall even up to over 250mm in the last 12 hours.
The NCHMF forecast that by tomorrow morning, there will be very heavy rains in the central provinces, with rainfall even surpassing 350mm in some places, leading to emergency flood warning on local rivals. From tomorrow afternoon, downpours are expected to gradually decrease.
The projected path of the new tropical depression that is forecast to develop into a new storm in the next few days. (Photo: kttv.gov.vn)
Against the continuous complex developments of extreme weather conditions in central Vietnam, the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disasters Response yesterday sent a new telegram, urging provinces and cities from Quang Ninh to Phu Yen, together with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, to remain updated on the low depression development to notify boat owners escaping the dangerous areas on the seas and guide ships to anchor at ports, while deploying measures to protect the dyke and dam system and proactively operate hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs to ensure the safety for works and downstream areas.
According to a report from the border guard force, against the influence of Storm Linfa and the new tropical low pressure, on October 11 the concerned authorities informed and instructed the owners of 44,882 ships and boats on the seas on the position and direction of the tropical depression for active responsive measures.
Statistics from local commands for natural disaster response showed that floods in the central region has affected 206 communes and wards with about 109,034 households. As of 7 pm yesterday evening, severe flooding claimed the lives of 17 people and 13 others are still missing.
Units under the Military Region 4, Military Region 5 and the border guards have mobilised 88,843 soldiers and 200 vehicles to coordinate with central localities to deal with the consequences caused by rains and flooding. Up until now, they have relocated 7,382 households with 24,364 people to safer places.
The Red Cross Society of Quang Binh Province has handed over necessities to support locals in need in Quang Ninh District as well as in Hong Thuy Commune, Le Thuy District. The Quang Binh Provincial Youth Union also presented 300 boxes of instant noodles and 1,200 bottles of drinking water to locals.
The Thua Thien Hue Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Response has supplied rice and 8,500 boxes of instant noodles from the province’s anti-disaster food reserve to provide as emergency relief for households who have been relocated due to flooding in the province.
Quang Ngai Province has relocated and evacuated 14,655 households with nearly 53,000 people from the flooded areas to safer places. The Quang Ngai Department of Education and Training has decided to allow local students to remain home from school today.
Locals in the Tuy Loan floodplain of Hoa Phong Commune, Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, use boats to travel on submerged roads. Photo: (NDO/Anh Dao)
At noon on October 11, Da Nang city’s education sector continued to notify local students across the city to leave school today until further notices.
Due to the influence of Storm Linfa, a number of domestic flights from/to Vietnam’s central region on October 11 were delayed or cancelled.
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced to cancel two flights linking Hanoi and eight others linking Ho Chi Minh City with Chu Lai airport of the central province of Quang Nam. The airline is set to operate additional flights in those routes on October 12. Flights from/to Da Nang City from 10am to 4pm on October 11 were also cancelled.
Meanwhile, budget airline Vietjet Air announced that three round trips in the HCM City-Chu Lai air route, and flights linking Hanoi and HCM City with Hue, were cancelled on the day. Departure time of flights from/to Da Nang will be adjusted.
Newest airline Bamboo Airway said departure time of flights on the Da Nang air route will be delayed.
Passengers are advised to keep a close watch on and regularly update themselves on information regarding weather conditions.
