Residents cry out for help as heavy rains flood central Vietnam

The eye of a tropical cyclone was 110 kilomerers away from Da Nang and Quang Nam at 11 p.m. with winds of up to 61 kph traveling North West at the speed of up to 20 kph, according to the National Centre for Hydro – Meteorological Forecasting.

At this speed the cyclone is set to hit the two provinces by 4 a.m. with winds of up to 61 kph. The neighboring provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Ngai might record winds of up to 49 kph.

Heavy rainfalls are expected in the central provinces of Quang Binh (up to 250 millimeters); Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam (up to 300 millimeters in most places and 400 millimeters in some areas). Waves in the central regional sea are expected to reach three to five meters high. From Thua Thien Hue to Phu Yen, sea water is expected to rise and could damage dikes and cause floods.

As water started to recede at the Dien Bien Phu – Nguyen Tri Phuong tunnel, people began to walk back home.

Walking is challenging as on some sections of the road water was still as one meter high.
On Phan Dang Luu Road, a man and his son had to get off a taxi and walked for two kilometers before stopping at Le Duan Road to wait for water to withdraw further.
“I have been living in Da Nang for 30 years but never have I seen a flood rising as fast and wide as this one.”

Water fills the Dien Bien Phu – Nguyen Tri Phuong Tunnel. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

At Ta Quang Buu intersection, water reached 0.5 meters at 8.30 p.m. and 10 minutes later a flash flood from Hai Van Mountain poured down the area. Hai Van Tunnel is now closed.

At the intersection of Hoang Hoa Tham and Le Duan Street, Thanh Khe District, about 30 cars were left in the middle of the road. The water is about a meter high and has a strong flow.

The rescue force mobilized two specialized vehicles and dozens of soldiers to support people, mainly helping them to cross the road to avoid the water. Only the fire trucks were moving, since most of the vehicles had dead engines.

The rain has stopped and the water has stopped rising, but it’s still flowing really strong.

 

 

Residents cry out for help as heavy rains flood central Vietnam

Hàng loạt ôtô bị bỏ lại giữa đường ở Đà Nẵng

Strong winds of 50-74 kilometers per hour are expected on the sea of central provinces from Quang Tri to Phu Yen Friday night and early Saturday, said Nguyen Van Huong, head of the weather forecast department under the National Centre for Hydro – Meteorological Forecasting.

Da Nang and Quang Nam beaches are set to have winds of 29-49 kph while mainland winds are forecast to reach 50-61 kph.

Heavy rainfall will likely continue in central provinces until late Sunday at 300-400 millimeters in most places and up to 600 millimeters in certain locations. Flash floods and landslides could occur.

Traffic police in Da Nang have mobilized the maximum number of people and rescue vehicles to support people in flooded areas, guided and regulated traffic, prevented vehicles from entering flooded roads, and guide them to other routes.

In deeply flooded areas, traffic police also participated in evacuating the elderly and children to higher areas.

Traffic police push a car with a dead engine out of the water. Photo by Da Nang Police

Storm Son Ca, the fifth to form in the East Sea this year, weakened into tropical depression about 150km off the coast the area from Da Nang to Quang Nam.

By 9:30 p.m., it carried a sustained wind speed of 50-61 kph, as it triggered heavy rain in the area from Quang Tri to Phu Yen and the northern of Central Highlands.

Many streets in Da Nang were flooded by heavy rain. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong