Tropical Storm “Trami” hits Vietnam after leaving 126 dead or missing in Philippines
Severe Tropical Storm “Trami” made landfall in Divalacan, Isabela, Philippines on October 23, 2024, causing widespread flooding and landslides in which at least 90 people died and 36 remain missing. Trami reached Vietnam on October 27 and made landfall in Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang at around 03:00 UTC, with maximum sustained winds of 88 km/h (55 mph).
Satellite image of Tropical Storm "Trami" making landfall in Vietnam on October 27, 2024. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Severe Tropical Storm “Trami” — known in the Philippines as Kristine — made landfall in Divalacan, Isabela at 16:30 UTC on October 23, 2024, unleashing widespread heavy rains that led to severe flooding and landslides across multiple regions.
Heavy rainfall impacted the Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Luzon, resulting in flash floods that displaced thousands and caused substantial property damage.
In Bacolod, over 281 residents from two barangays were evacuated due to flash floods, while Negros Occidental saw the evacuation of 316 families.
Catastrophic flooding in Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Northern Samar compounded the impact, with reports of floodwaters reaching up to 1.8 m (6 feet) in parts of Camarines Sur, forcing mass evacuations.
In Naga, Camarines Sur, approximately 700 mm (28 inches) of rain inundated the city, flooding nearly a third of its territory and affecting 70% of its population. Naga River reached critical levels, and in Daet, Camarines Norte, PAGASA recorded a historic 528.5 mm (20.81 inches) of rainfall in 24 hours.
Trami was especially devastating in the Bicol Region, which experienced what local authorities described as its worst flooding since 1969.
A storm surge hit Lingayen, Pangasinan, submerging six barangays, and several power lines in Luzon and the Visayas were disabled.
Strong winds and storm surges along coastal regions destroyed or damaged over 900 homes.
Severe flooding and lahar flow from Mayon Volcano rendered roads in Guinobatan, Albay, impassable, while landslides and flash floods led to road closures in Apayao and other areas.
In Batangas, over 6 000 people were evacuated as the province experienced rainfall equivalent to two months’ worth of precipitation.
Major infrastructural damage, including significant disruptions in telecommunications affecting up to 92% of customers in several provinces, left thousands isolated.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 5.8 million people were impacted nationwide, with 560 896 displaced and 9 801 homes damaged.
The council reported a death toll of 90, with 71 injured and 36 missing as of October 27.
Estimated damage from the storm reached ₱2.26 billion (US$45.83 million), with agriculture and infrastructure bearing significant losses.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to locate missing individuals and provide aid to affected communities.
After wreaking havoc across the Philippines, Trami exited into the South China Sea and headed toward Vietnam, prompting extensive preparation efforts nationwide.
Ahead of landfall, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà directed government agencies to coordinate closely in their response, deploying 285 480 soldiers and militia personnel alongside 12 503 military vehicles to aid in rescue and relief operations.
In anticipation of the storm, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam suspended operations at four key airports along the central coast: Đồng Hới, Phú Bài, Đà Nẵng, and Chu Lai.
Coastal activities in Quảng Bình were officially banned starting at midnight on October 27 as a precaution. In total, Quang Nam province evacuated 4 412 households, amounting to 18 306 residents across 10 localities, while Da Nang authorities relocated more than 6 200 individuals from high-risk boarding houses and temporary shelters to safer accommodations.
Trami made landfall in Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang, Vietnam at around 03:00 UTC on October 27, with maximum sustained winds of 88 km/h (55 mph), bringing down trees and producing large waves.
Heavy rainfall ranging from 200 mm to 400 mm (8 to 16 inches) was recorded in multiple areas, with Phú Lộc district receiving 268 mm (10.6 inches), Nam Đông 150 mm (5.9 inches), and Bạch Mã Mountain 373.8 mm (14.7 inches) in Huế. Đà Nẵng reported 135 mm (5.3 inches) of rain, and the Chàm Islands off Hội An experienced similar downpours.
Authorities anticipate that these intense rains will continue in Huế and Đà Nẵng through October 27, potentially causing temporary flooding in low-lying areas. Local drainage systems are expected to struggle under the volume, raising concerns of localized water accumulation in urban and rural zones alike.
In the video below, meteorologist Robert Speta of WestPacWx breaks down the latest tropical developments in the West Pacific and why Trami brought so much destruction to the Philippines.
References:
1 DSWD provides psychosocial aid to families of ‘Kristine’ fatalities – PNA – October 27, 2024
2 Typhoon Trami brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to central coast – VietNam News – October 27, 2024
3 Situational Report for Tropical Cyclone KRISTINE (2024) – NDRRMC – October 27, 2024
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