South China Sea: Tropical Depression Trami tracking north-northeastward over South China Sea early Oct. 29 /update 12

Tropical Depression Trami is tracking north-northeastward over the South China Sea early Oct. 29. Trami made landfall as a tropical storm over southern Thua Thien Hue Province close to Da Nang at around 10:00 ICT Oct. 27 and then stalled as it weakened into a depression over central Vietnam and southeastern Laos. As of 04:00 Oct. 29, the system's center of circulation was approximately 61 km (38 miles) northeast of Da Nang, Vietnam.

Forecast models indicate that the system will weaken and dissipate as it tracks eastward away from the coast of central Vietnam through early Oct. 30. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast, and changes could occur in the coming days.

As of early Oct. 29, Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) has warned of further heavy rainfall of 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) from southern Ha Tinh to Thua Thien Hue provinces through Oct. 30.

Authorities have reported at least four fatalities across affected areas of central Vietnam amid the severe weather brought by the storm. Reports indicate damage to coastal roads and some beachfront buildings in Thue Thien Hue and Da Nang provinces near where the storm made landfall. Around 295 houses were damaged, and 15,200 others submerged in Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, and Da Nang. Further north, floods have affected more than 17,000 homes. At least 70 locations on national and provincial highways are inundated in parts of Quang Binh Province. Many schools are closed across parts of Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. Flooding on the railway line between Le Thuy District in Quang Binh and Vinh Linh District in Quang Tri has caused disruptions to train services between Dong Hoi and Dong Ha. Several roads across the region are impassable due to floodwaters, and landslides have been reported in dozens of locations along National Highway 9B in Quang Binh and Ho Chi Minh Highway in Quang Tri. Power outages have also been reported in Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and other affected areas.

Authorities suspended operations at Da Nang International (DAD), Phu Bai International (HUI), Dong Hoi (VDH), and Chu Lai (VCL) airports Oct. 27 as the storm made landfall; normal operations have resumed, but residual delays are likely as airlines work to clear the backlog of passengers.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible.

Inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary port closures are also possible. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.