CENTRAL REGION — Doksuri, considered the most powerful tropical typhoon to hit Việt Nam in a decade, is expected to make landfall in the central provinces later today afternoon. However, the windstorm and downpour heralding its arrival has already caused damages in several areas.

By 10am today, 260 houses had their roofs blown off by the strong winds.

According to Thừa Thiên–Huế flood prevention agency, province-wide, 583ha of rice have not yet been harvested and are expected to be lost completely following this storm. Meanwhile, 6,400 fish cages, mostly in Phú Lộc District and Phú Vang, are being safeguarded.

Nguyễn Văn Cao, chairman of Thừa Thiên–Huế Province People’s Committee, said water levels across reservoirs and hydropower dams in the province are at a safe level and no construction is underway.

Cao added that 100 tonnes of rice, 100 tonnes of instant noodles, 100,000 litres of petrol, 100,000 litres of diesel and 30,000 litres of oil have been prepared in case the storm lasts several days.

In Nghệ An Province, authorities of Cửa Lò Town, a popular tourist beach destination, have already made plans to relocate 1,062 households with 4,506 residents to safer areas.

The province is also urging its people to avoid going outside in heavy winds and rain, so they do not fall victim to accidents caused by falling trees, electrical poles and wires.

Strong gusts and tornadoes blew roofs off of several houses and toppled down trees in Thuỷ Phương ward of Huế City, Thừa Thiên - Huế Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Việt

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, some localities have reported more than 70mm rainfall. Tuyên Hoá District in Quảng Bình Province reported 80mm and the mountainous Nam Đông District of Huế reported 100mm rainfall.

As of 4am today, the eye of the typhoon was 190km east of the coast of the Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình provinces. The wind speed near the centre of the typhoon reached 115-150km/h. Over the next 12 hours, the typhoon is expected to move in the west-northwest direction at a speed of 20-25km/h and to make landfall at around 4pm, directly affecting coastal provinces from Nghệ An to Quảng Trị.

In the following 12-24 hours, the typhoon will continue its west-northwest path deeper into the mainland and weakening into a tropical depression in Laos.

Tonight, provinces from Quảng Ngãi to Nghệ An will have rainfall levels reaching 100-300mm, while rainfall hitting the Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, and Quảng Trị provinces could reach as high as 400mm in some localities.

Over the next two days, major floods could occur at rivers in the central region, posing a high risk of flashfloods, landslides, and local floods in the Hoà Bình, Sơn La, Thanh Hoá and Thừa Thiên–Huế provinces.

From today, the northern region will also experience a heavy rainstorm, with average temperatures reaching 32 Celsius degrees. The Central Highlands and southern region will similarly be affected by the storm’s effects, with cloudy weather and heavy thunderstorms in the forecast.

Military forces deployed to help Triệu Sơn District’s farmers harvest rice before the typhoon Doksuri hits central province Thanh Hoá. — VNA/VNS Photo Khiếu Tư

Today morning, Hoàng Thị Xuyên, wife of captain Nguyễn Văn Tuy, 1972, a resident of Thành Lập Village, Ngư Lộc Commune, Hậu Lộc District of Thanh Hoá Province, reported to the authorities that her husband, together with 10 crewmembers on the vessel TH 9366, has lost contact with mainland since September 13, right when the typhoon is picking up strength.

According to Xuyên, TH 9366 set off to Nha Thang Province on September 3. Upon hearing information about the typhoon, Tuy has contacted with his family and local authorities. However, since September 13, families of crewmembers have not heard from them. 

Authorities and fishermen are trying to locate the missing vessel on the sea.

Intense rainfall pounded Thừa Thiên Huế Province from Thursday, reaching 150-200mm. Tornadoes have also made random appearances, devastating local residents’ houses and crops.

Torrential downpours have caused 700m of Hải Thành Village’s shoreline to collapse.

By 7am, 410 households with 1,424 residents in the landslide-hit areas were relocated to safer areas.

Phong Điền District authorities said by 7:30am today, two people had been reported dead or missing. Ngô Văn Hiển, a rubber worker, was washed away by floodwaters on Thursday, and a three-year-old went missing when he wandered off to the beach.

In Huế City, strong gusts and rain brought down several trees along the streets of Ngô Quyền, Nguyễn Huệ and Đống Đa, causing traffic congestion. — VNS