Vietnam: Typhoon Tembin to strike southern Vietnam December 25

Event

Typhoon Tembin is forecast to strike southern Vietnam late on Monday, December 25. As of 22:00 (local time) on Sunday, December 24, Typhoon Tembin was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph), and was located roughly 600 km (373 mi) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in the South China Sea, according to the Vietnamese National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Tembin is forecast to slightly weaken before making landfall in southern Vietnam with forecast maximum sustained wind speeds of around 104 km/h (64 mph).

Tembin is expected to bring heavy rain to southern Vietnam over the coming days; consequent flooding, landslides, transportation disruptions, and power outages are possible in affected areas. Among the areas expected to be most acutely affected by the storm are those between Ba Ria-Vung Tao province and Ca Mau province. Mass evacuations of hundreds of thousands of people have begun in several provinces, including in Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Ba-Ria-Vung Tau, Tien Giang, and Ben Tre, and in Ho Chi Minh City's Can Gio district. Additional evacuations are planned in Soc Trang and Tra Vinh provinces. Several provinces have instructed workers and students to stay home during the storm. Heavy rains may also affect parts of Cambodia and southern Laos by Tuesday, December 26, which may result in flooding and landslides in some areas.

Context

Typhoon Tembin is 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.

Then-Tropical Storm Tembin - now Typhoon Tembin - reportedly left at least 200 people dead and over 140 missing in the Philippines as of Saturday, December 23. Tembin affected more than 70,000 people in the Philippines, with 40,000 currently living in shelters as a result of the storm. Heavy rains and wind led to the collapse of multiple dams, leading to flooding and landslides in mountainous areas. The majority of deaths were recorded in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

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. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given.

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.