Vietnam: Typhoon Tembin weakens into tropical depression Dec. 26 /update 1

Event

Typhoon Tembin weakened into a tropical depression on Tuesday, December 26, allowing some 30,000 evacuees from Soc Trang province, 82,000 from Ca Mau province, 21,000 from Ben Tre province, as well as all evacuees from Can Gio and Ten Giang provinces, to return to their homes. Ferries have also resumed operations, despite heavy rains and strong winds reported in many areas.

Tembin is expected to continue weakening while moving westwards before dissipating. The coastal area spanning from Bing Dinh to Phu Yen is still at risk of flash floods and landslides due to heavy rains expected in the next few days.

Context

Typhoon Tembin was the 16th tropical storm to enter the South China Sea in 2017 - a single-year record, according to the Vietnamese National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. In November, Typhoon Damrey killed at least 91 people across Vietnam, damaging at least 120,000 homes and triggering the evacuation of some 30,000 people. In September, Typhoon Doksuri struck Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces, killing 17 people and causing over USD 700 million in damages.

Advice

Individuals present in southern Vietnam are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm travel reservations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.