Tropical storm Saudel has entered the East Sea and this is the eighth storm landfall over Viet Nam, packing a gust of level 11 and constantly picking up its intensity, the National Hydrology Meteorology Forecast Centre (NCHFM) said.

Storm Saudel tracking map for the coming days (Source: The National Hydrology Meteorology Forecast Centre)

At 1pm on Friday, 23 October, the center of Saude is expected to be located near latitude 17°6’N and longitude 113°8’E, about 200 kilometers east-northeast of the Hoang Sa Archipelago with maximum sustained winds near its centre at 100–135 kph (levels 11 -12), and a gale of level 14.

The latest data on Saudel’s current trajectory suggests the storm is grinding its way across the East Sea, and is expected to hit Viet Nam on Sunday, making landfall in central areas that are suffering from their worst flooding in two decades.

NCHFM has issued flood warnings for all parts of Central Viet Nam as storm Saudel could dump more heavy rain on affected areas in the coming days.

Serious flooding from swollen rivers in Da Nang and neighbouring Quang Nam Province due to the floodwater discharge from the spillways of upstream hydropower reservoirs, will threaten some parts of Central Viet Nam.

For instance, the water level of the Vu Gia River measured at the Ai Nghia Hydrological Station is expected rise to 8.4m, 0.4m above the alert level 2, in the coming time. that of the Thu Bon River, likewise, could exceed the alert level 1 by 0.6m in the coming hours.

NCHFM is urging people to avoid flooded areas along the rivers and move their personal belongings to higher ground. For those traveling, never drive through flooded roads as the depth of water could be too great to pass and should turn around so they do not risk their lives.

Besides, warnings on landslides and floodings have also been issued for some vulnerable mountainous and low-lying areas, respectively, in wet weather-soaking central regional localities.

Flood waters pouring into the An Trach Dam

Recently, workers of the Da Nang Sewerage and Wastewater Treatment Company conducted the installation of mobile pumps to lower the water level of a lake at the 29 March Park to prevent any floodings in the inner-city.

Functional bodies will carry out a mandatory evacuation of residents from at-risk riverside areas in Da Nang, and take proactively drastic measures in response to flash floods and landslides, which may occur in such high-risk areas as the Cu De and Tuy Loan rivers’ downstream, National Highway 14G, and roads leading to Son Tra Peninsula.

The installation of mobile pumps being conducted to lower the water level of a lake at the 29 March Park to prevent any floodings in the inner-city

In a hurry, workers of the Da Nang Green Park Company are now rushing to prune the branches of trees alongside streets in preparation for the possible arrival of the fresh storm.

More rain is forecast to hit Central Viet Nam over this weekend as storm Saudel blows in from the East Sea, NCHFM says.

The trimming of trees progressing in preparation for the possible arrival of the fresh storm.

A flooded low-lying road in Hoa Tien Commune, Hoa Vang District

Central Viet Nam is scrambling to evacuate thousands of people from their homes as Saudel is approaching.

“The damage will be immense if we are not well prepared as the projected impact area has already suffered from floods and landslides,” Mai Van Khiem, chief of Viet Nam’s weather agency said in a statement.

The region has been hit by particularly heavy rainfall amid the onset of a La Niña weather system, which is characterised by unusually cold temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

By HOANG HIEP – Translated by A.T