Tropical Storm “Sinlaku” kills 2 in Vietnam, floods more than 1 000 houses in Thailand

Flash flooding brought by Tropical Storm "Sinlaku" killed at least two people in Vietnam and swept through thousands of houses in 18 provinces of Thailand over the weekend. Sinlaku formed on August 1 as the third named storm of the 2020 Pacific typhoon season.

More than 1 000 households in Loei alone were affected as flash floods inundated their homes in the wake of the storm.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered authorities to provide immediate help to victims in Muang, Chiang Khan, and Pak Chom districts– the areas badly hit.

The PM had also instructed authorities to promptly evacuate the affected population to safer grounds and speed up damage assessments.

Sinlaku started bringing heavy rains to Thailand around Saturday evening, August 1. Numerous homes were destroyed and roads were damaged across 18 provinces.

Parts of the affected districts also experienced power disruptions. Roads were cut, cutting access to emergency supplies, including clean water. In Muang solely, more than 400 houses were submerged with up to 700 mm (28 inches).

Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Bunyamanee said he instructed Loei governor to provide shelter for flood victims and rescue those who were stranded in their houses.

Charoon Panich, chairman of Nam Suai's tambon administrative organization in Muang, said he deployed officials to help in evacuation efforts. 

By Monday morning, August 3, residents cleared out debris from the storm that downed trees, electricity poles, and tore roofs from some buildings.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chayapol Thitisak stated that authorities across 67 provinces were urged to brace for more rain and chances of flash flooding, with warnings still in force until Tuesday, August 4.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rains until Wednesday, August 5.

Meanwhile, Sinlaku also hit Laos and Vietnam, where at least two people died in the provinces of Hoa Binh and Quang Ninh.

Authorities warned that heavy rains may lead to landslides and flash flooding in the country's northern mountainous provinces.

Up to 400 mm (16 inches) of rainfall is forecast in some parts of Vietnam into Wednesday, according to the Disaster Management Authority.

Featured image credit: Disaster Hunter/YouTube