Tropical Storm Trami hits Vietnam, causing flooding and death toll in Philippines
Tropical Storm Trami has hit the coast of Vietnam, bringing heavy rains and gusty winds, posing a high risk of flooding and destruction in coastal areas. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the full impact of the storm is already being felt, with the death toll continuing to rise and rescue services working around the clock to help those affected.
Storm Trami floods Vietnam: flood threat, airports closed
Storm Trami lashed central Vietnam on Sunday, bringing heavy rains and threatening widespread flooding. The storm left a trail of destruction in the Philippines, where many areas have already been hit. Vietnam, with its long coastline, often faces natural disasters such as storms and floods, causing significant casualties and damage. The National Meteorological Agency (NMA) predicted that parts of provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Nam would receive up to 60 cm of rain in the coming days. The agency warned that cities from Ha Tinh to Binh Dinh provinces were at high risk of flooding.
Heavy rains are also expected to hit Vietnam’s Central Highlands, a key coffee-growing region, the agency said. Trami passed through the Philippines’ Luzon island before hitting Vietnam, causing widespread flooding and complicating rescue efforts. The Philippines’ capital Manila is bracing for another storm as Kong Rey approaches. Trami hit the Philippines on Thursday, causing flooding and landslides that had killed 90 people by Sunday, up from 46 on Friday, the disaster agency said.
Civil Defense Director Ariel Nepomuceno said many deaths were still being verified to ensure the storm was the cause. He noted that food, drinking water, hygiene supplies and medicine were plentiful, but severe flooding was making it difficult to deliver aid, with some areas accessible only by boat.
The storm’s winds, which reached 88 km/h (54.7 mph), hit the cities of Hue and Da Nang before weakening to 74 km/h (46 mph). Four airports in central Vietnam were temporarily closed due to the storm, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said. Da Nang International Airport will be closed from 6 a.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.
Storm Trami’s powerful winds toppled trees and billboards in Da Nang, state media reported. A month earlier, northern Vietnam was hit by Typhoon Yagi, which killed more than 300 people and caused economic losses exceeding $3.3 billion due to devastating floods.
Rules of conduct during a flood: how to protect yourself and your family
Floods can happen suddenly and pose a serious threat to life and property. Knowing what to do in such situations can help you stay safe.
The first thing to do is to monitor weather forecasts and warnings from local authorities. If a flood warning is issued, start preparing to evacuate. Make an action plan for your family: identify a safe place to meet and prepare a necessary bag with documents, medicine, food and water.
Avoid going outside during a flood. If you are in a building, stay there until you are sure it is safe. Do not attempt to cross flooded areas, as even shallow water can hide hazards such as open manholes or strong currents.
If you need to evacuate, use only approved routes and follow local authorities’ instructions. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads, as this could result in injury or even death.
Once the flooding has passed, remain vigilant. Check local news for safety information, and do not return to flooded areas until you receive permission from authorities.