At least 12 dead, 6 missing as tropical depression hits Nha Trang and central provinces

Torrential downpour caused by a tropical depression hit the coastal city of Nha Trang on Sunday, which killed 12, injured 11 and left 6 others missing.

According to a report by VNA, state-owned media, search and rescue workers in the city said that the tropical depression – remnants of the weakened Typhoon Toraji –had produced total rainfall of 380mm in less than 12 hours.
With the city’s sewage system unable to handle the prolonged downpour, many parts of the city were flooded.
Heavy rainfall also hindered traffic between Nha Trang and Cam Ranh International Airport.
1,400 people living in high-risk mountainous areas were moved to safer ground after four persons – including a 14-year-old child – were buried in a landslide.
In the morning, 400 soldiers and officials from various military universities based in the city were mobilized to support search and rescue agencies.
In the early morning, an international flight destined for Nha Trang was forced to land at HCM City instead due to the weather.

The Deputy director of the South Central Meteorology Hydrography Station, Mr.Vo Anh Kiet, who based in Nha Trang said the rainfall had exceeded forecasts.
Another tropical depression was currently forming off the coast of the Philippines and was likely to become the ninth typhoon to enter Vietnam’s East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) this year, Kiet said, adding that there was a strong possibility that the typhoon would make landfall in the south-central and southern provinces in a week.
“The landslide-hit locations were in areas difficult to access, so victims were at risk of being isolated despite ramped up efforts by search and rescue forces. People’s Committee had directed local governments to expedite support and aid for the victims” said Mr. Dao Cong Thien, vice chairman of Khanh Hoa’s People’s Committee.

Leaders would be held accountable before the provincial People’s Committee and Party Committee if support was delayed.
Schools would be closed today, Nha Trang’s education department said, with HCM City likely following suit depending on developments as the tropical depression had been forecast to move towards the southern city.

Widespread inundation

In Ninh Thuan, a south-central province of Vietnam also reported rampant flooding from the depression, with Thuan Nam District being the hardest hit.
The inter-commune road was under half a meter of floodwater, effectively cutting off access while schools, markets, medical stations and several houses inundated.
Canoes were deployed to transport 73 households in the flooded areas to safer locations.
No casualties had been reported, however.
Early morning on Sunday, a tornado occurred in The Cliff of Stone Plates area, a popular sightseeing site in Phu Yen Province, injuring 19 tourists from HCM City and four locals, while damaging several houses in the area.
Another tornado was also reported in Hoa Tam Commune in Phu Yen Province that took down power lines and damaged many houses.
Water levels in rivers from Nha Trang of Khanh Hoa Province to Ninh Thuan Province are on the rise, leaving more areas in the south central region at risk of flooding and landslides even when the rains have stopped.

 

Read full report on VNS