Central Vietnam residents brace for Typhoon Vamco
Amid a series of typhoons that have struck Vietnam for the past couple of weeks, the residents of Central Vietnam are bracing for another typhoon to hit the region.
Typhoon Vamco, also known as Typhoon Ulysses and Typhoon No. 13, is now accelerating west-northwest towards the South China Sea and Central Vietnam at the speed of 20-25KM per hour.
Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen suffer from post-Tropical Storm Etau rainfall
Residents in Phu Yen hurrying to evacuation shelter amid rising waters
Image adapted from: Tuoi Tre
As a result of Typhoon 12, which subsided into a tropical storm called Tropical Storm Etau, many parts of Central Vietnam such as Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Quang Ngai are seeing torrential rain.
Some areas are experiencing an average of 50-100 mm of rainfall, while Hue and Da Nang are being drenched in 80-120 mm of rainfall each.
Image credit: VietnamNet
In Phu Yen, the amount of rainwater reached a record high of 157.6-341.8 mm on 10th November.
A family being evacuated amid flooding
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
The massive rainfall also triggered extensive flooding and landslides, forging thousands of residents in Central Vietnam to evacuate to centralized shelters. These residents are advised to stay in the shelter at least until the morning of 11th November when the rain subsides.
A capsized truck in Phu Yen
Image credit: Tuoi Tre
Heavy rain and flooding also caused damage to over 31 houses and public infrastructure, and triggered accidents across flood-prone areas. Search and rescue efforts are still underway for the missing people in multiple landslides caused by Tropical Storm Etau.
Typhoon Vamco will hit Vietnam soon
Image credit: Typhoon 2000
While recovery efforts in flood-prone areas have just begun, authorities in Vietnam have ordered thousands of residents in Central Vietnam to prepare for the arrival of Typhoon Vamco. Local authorities are also trying to alert fishermen and move more fishing boats to shore to minimize typhoon damage.
Vamco, which packs sustained winds of 176KM per hour and forceful gusts of 213KM per hour, is rapidly approaching the South China Sea from the Philippines. By this afternoon, the typhoon will be 700KM off Vietnam’s Hoang Sa Island in the east-southeast direction.
In the next 6 hours, provinces that lie in the path of Typhoon Vamco such as Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa will expect extensive rainfall, averaging 20-80 mm.
Typhoon Vamco hits Vietnam
Less than 48 hours since Tropical Storm Etau battered Central Vietnam, the region is again scrambling to prepare ahead of Typhoon Vamco, which is the thirteenth typhoon to hit Vietnam this year.
While it’s important to clean up the mess left behind by Tropical Storm Etau, it’s important that those living in the path of the typhoon to continue to monitor the progress of Typhoon Vamco. Stay in touch with local authorities, the nearest frontline rescue teams, and your neighbors, keep up-to-date with the changes in the typhoon’s track, and comply with evacuation orders for your own safety.
Also check out:
- UDI MAPS – Saigon Weather App that helps you avoid flood-prone areas
- Vietnam braces for Typhoon Goni amid ongoing search for landslide victims
- Vietnamese student unclogs street drainage in the rain
Cover image adapted from: Thông Tấn Xã Việt Nam (TTXVN) and Philippine Tropical Cyclone Advisories
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