Storm Number 9 weakens into tropical depression

HCM CITY — Storm No.9, internationally known as Usagi, lashed the south-central and south-eastern regions from Ninh Thuận to Bến Tre provinces with heavy rains and strong winds yesterday before weakening into a tropical depression.

The system, and the north-east monsoon which has begun, brought 150mm of rainfall and are expected to dump another 200-300mm today.

Gale-force winds measuring levels 6-7 (40-60km/h) were recorded.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting expected the tropical depression to move to the Việt Nam – Cambodia border by 1 a.m today.

A task force of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control along with Bình Thuận administration officials visited some places for inspections.

Làng Tre tourism park in Phan Thiết city was buffeted by strong waves and winds and suffered a minor landslide. The city also reported that 30 small boats sank, six temporary houses collapsed and 150 ha of agricultural production flooded.

In Ninh Thuận Province, heavy rains and flooding washed away 100m of railway tracks. Another 700m of tracks was under more a metre of water and all north-south trains have been halted.

In Khánh Hoà Province, a landslide down Cù Hin hill was cleared and the road to Cam Ranh International Airport reopened to traffic.

Nha Trang city officials moved nearly 6,000 people to safe places and ordered 1,524 fishing boats to dock. Only one boat was sunk.

In Vũng Tàu city, strong winds felled many trees. Earlier authorities relocated more than 1,700 fishermen and 550 people living on raft-based fish farms to safe places.

In HCM City, heavy rains caused severe flooding. The coastal district of Cần Giờ had moved 4,100 residents to safe places as a precautionary measure.

The city has banned activities at sea until the storm blows over.

One person was reported killed by a falling tree in Bình Chánh District. — LV