Usagi forces 100 000 to evacuate southern Vietnam, drops 350 mm (14 inches) of rain on Ho Chi Minh
Tropical Storm "Usagi" made landfall in southern Vietnam around 06:00 UTC on November 25, 2018, with maximum sustained winds of 83 km/h (52 mph). This is the 27th named storm of the 2018 Pacific typhoon season and the 8th tropical cyclone to hit Vietnam this season. It comes just several days after Tropical Cyclone "Toraji" hit the country, leaving more than 12 people dead.
Usagi made landfall close to the Vung Tau town of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and continued moving northwestward inland over Ho Chi Minh city area toward southern Cambodia as a tropical depression. Authorities issued evacuation orders for more than 100 000 people ahead of the storm.
Early November 26, its center was located approximately 80 km (50 miles) NW of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and 50 km (31 miles) SE of Smaong Khang Cheung, Cambodia with maximum sustained winds of 46 km/h (28 mph).
Ho Chi Minh received more than 350 mm (14 inches) before the storm moved away, resulting in widespread flooding and travel disruption.
Winds brought by the storm downed numerous trees in the popular beach town of Vung Tau, destroyed roofs of homes and sank boats along the coast, caused power outages and damaged at least 51 homes in Ho Chi Minh City area.
At least one person lost its life after being hit by a falling tree while riding a motorcycle.
Tropical depression Usagi is moving over #Vietnam to #Cambodia. The winds have weakened but the rain still continues. There is still uncertainty in the forecast, but there is a chance the depression later approaches #Thailand. #weather #foreca #Usagi #rain pic.twitter.com/RHhJ1uXFVz
— Foreca (@foreca) November 25, 2018
Unprecedented #flooding after #storm #Usagi in #HoChiMinhCity and several cities in southern #Vietnam. Climate change is real! #weather #ClimateChange pic.twitter.com/jrX9F4SQw4
— Nga Pham (@ngaphambbc) November 25, 2018
flood #usagi #typhoon #saigon #vietnam pic.twitter.com/snT2c4ibip
— ものみゆさん (@monomi_yusan) November 25, 2018
Its some murky night in #saigon while #Usagi hits, I am hunkered down! pic.twitter.com/N2hL7DsyAB
— Paul's TEFL adventures (@s_tefl) November 25, 2018
Usagi moved over the Philippines as a tropical depression before it hit Vietnam, leaving at least one person dead on November 21 due to floods triggered by heavy rainfall.
In addition, national authorities reported 61 574 people affected in 128 municipalities across Samar Island (Eastern Visayas Region) and southern Bicol Region.
Featured image credit: @monomi_yusan
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