Tropical Depression “Toraji” drops heavy rain, claims 12 lives in central Vietnam
Flash floods and landslides have destroyed villages and washed out roads, killing at least 12 people in central Vietnam over the weekend as Tropical Depression "Toraji" moved into the country from the South China Sea. Leftovers are expected to drop heavy rain to the southern part of Thailand by Wednesday, November 21.
Toraji moved in just after dawn (LT) on November 18, dropping 379 mm (14.9 inches) of rain in just several hours on Nha Trang. On average, Nha Trang receives 332 mm (13 inches) of rain during the entire month of November.
Tropical Depression "Koraji" nears Vietnam on November 17, 2018. Credit: NASA Terra/MODIS
Tropical Depression "Koraji" nears Vietnam on November 18, 2018. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
Central Khanh Hoa province was worst affected, with numerous homes destroyed and at least 12 people killed and several missing.
An official from the provincial disaster office told AFP they have mobilized hundreds of army troops to help restore lives and clean up damaged roads.
Even the main highway, linking north and south Vietnam was temporarily blocked and some railway routes were interrupted.
This is the 8th tropical cyclone to hit Vietnam this year. However, the country should brace for another heavy rain maker as TD 33W continues intensifying east of the Philippines.
It is expected to move over the country on November 20 and reach Vietnam by November 24 as a tropical storm.
Tropical Depression Toraji was tracked at position 11.7,109.6 with 35mph WNW winds #Toraji #hurricane https://t.co/qXs3ImPQeU pic.twitter.com/GFkywbNtEO
— My Hurricane Tracker (@HurricaneiOS) November 18, 2018
#SamuelPH will reach #Philippines as a tropical storm on Tuesday. At the same time the remnants of #Toraji will reach southern #Thailand after crossing southern #Vietnam and #Cambodia. The rainfall is heavy around both storms. #weather #foreca #cyclone #tropicalstorm #Samuel pic.twitter.com/4LicoViozQ
— NCHMF NEWS (@nchmfnews) November 19, 2018
#Tropical #Toraji CMA 19/0001UTC track ensemble and wind swath with ECMWF 19/0001UTC 48 hour rain accumulation #Thailand pic.twitter.com/rcsByU7Rli
— Mike Trigger (@T2mike) November 19, 2018
Featured image: Tropical Depression Toraji over Vietnam on November 18, 2018. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
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