Tropical Storm Kai Tak death toll climbs to 27

A 10m-deep and 50m-wide hole suddenly appeared on a stretch of Le Van Luong Street in Ha Noi, after three days of heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Kai Tak. The storm hit northern Viet Nam on Friday, claiming 27 lives and injuring at least 15 others. — VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI — By yesterday morning, up to 27 people lost their lives and some 15 others were reported missing or injured after tropical storm Kai Tak hit northern Viet Nam last Friday, according to the National Committee for Search and Rescue.

The storm also destroyed 116 houses and ripped the roofs from nearly 6,000 houses. It submerged nearly 23,000ha of rice and subsidiary crops and more than 1,300ha of aquaculture products. Landslides occurred in some 900cu.m of national and provincial highways in Phu Tho, Lao Cai and Ha Giang provinces.

Mountainous northern Yen Bai Province was the hardest-hit province, with five deaths, one missing and nine injured. Nearly 6,800 houses were damaged or destroyed when the storm swept through the province early Saturday.

Affected localities have intensified cleaning efforts, mobilising various forces to clear roads blocked by landslides and fallen trees.

In Ha Noi, two death and two injuries were reported. Nearly two hundred trees fell down while roads in some areas were eroded. Rain water averaging in depth from 25-50mm caused waterlogging in many places, with water depth up to 0.15-0.3m. Traffic was blocked severely in many places.

On Saturday, the National Committee for Search and Rescue successfully found a fishing vessel from central Binh Dinh Province with seven fishermen on board, which was floating offshore due to technical problems, and pulled it to a safe area. The centre also rescued another vessel from central Quang Binh Province with six fishermen on board yesterday.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said that although the storm, the fifth of its kind in the East Sea this year, has weakened into a low pressure system and is dissipating, it will nevertheless continue to cause heavy rain during the next few days. Localities are advised to provide updated information to residents and make emergency preparations in advance. Flash floods and landslides may occur in northern mountainous areas.

Meanwhile, Electricity of Viet Nam is working on repairing the electric grids and transformer stations damaged by the storm. Hydro-power plants' reservoirs are under control and ready to release water to ensure safety for the lowlands. — VNS