Tropical storm Mirinae ripped through the south-central coast at 13.00 on November 2 with winds gusting at 110km/h. Ly Son island district in Quang Ngai province was the first locality to bear the brunt of the storm.

Nguyen van Le, deputy head of the district committee for flood and storm control, said that there was no big loss to property as islanders had reinforced their homes and public works before the storm made landfall. However, more than 40 hectares of newly transplanted garlic were completely destroyed by the strong winds.

Quang Ngai province evacuated 450,000 residents from low-lying areas to safe zones. It also asked all primary and secondary schools in flood-prone districts to close until the storm moves further inland and weakens into a tropical depression.

Experts fear that the torrential rains that began on November 1 could trigger widespread flooding in the region.

Mirinae, which produced sustained winds of 100km/h, tore off thousands of roofs, snapped power lines and brought down trees in Phu Yen province. It also lashed the coastal districts of Tuy An, Song Cau, Dong Hoa and Tuy Hoa city with heavy rains.

Torrential rains plus rising flood tiles submerged many parts of the low-lying areas. Water levels in the Ba River rose quickly, flooding streets and houses along the Bach Dang dyke embankment.

The storm caused landslides in Deo Ca (Ca Pass), blocking north-south trains, and all flights between Tuy Hoa and Hanoi on November 2 were cancelled. The province has banned local people from travelling and has sent rescue teams to flooded areas to assist local people. 

The storm also hit Binh Dinh province, blowing off roofs, uprooting trees, cutting power lines, destroying many houses and causing water levels in the local rivers to rise quickly. 

The province has asked local citizens to stay indoors during the height of the storm. It has also supplied 1,400 tonnes of rice to areas that are often cut off due to flooding.

Dam Van Loi, an official from the provincial committee for flood and storm control, said that more than 1,700 households living along the coast had been moved to higher ground. Rescue teams have been dispatched to danger areas to protect public works and assist local people.

(Source: VOVNEWS)