Tropical Storm ‘Usagi’ has caused flooding and wind damage in parts of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.
Usagi, earlier known as Tropical Cyclone 33W, had previously made landfall as a tropical depression in Eastern Samar Province, Philippines, on 20 November. One person died and over 60,000 people were affected by the storm, known locally as ‘Samuel’.
The storm, now known as Usagi, then continued moving westward over the South China Sea toward Vietnam, strengthening. Heavy rain was reported in parts of Vietnam from 24 November, 2018, with parts of Ho Chi Minh City recording over 200 mm in 24 hours to 25 November, 2018.
Vietnam’s Disaster Management Authority (DMA) said that over 100,000 people have been evacuated from 7 provinces or cities, including in Khanh Hoa province (14,554 people); Ba Ria–Vung Tau (28,250); Ho Chi Minh City (4,476)people; Tien Giang (31,050) and Ben Tre (24,499).
One fatality was reported in Ho Chi Minh City due to wind damage. DMA reported that over 50 houses were damaged or destroyed across several affected provinces. Landslides and flooding have damaged a railway line in Phuoc Nhon in Ninh Thuan province, causing severe travel disruption.
Wide areas of crops, including rice, were damaged by flooding in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Binh Duong, Ba Ria–Vung Tau, Phu Yen and Lam Dong.
Binh Thuan Province is currently dealing with damages caused by Tropical Depression Toraji around a week ago, where at least 12 people died.
