On the evening of December 4, the typhoon slammed into Phu Quy Island in Binh Thuan province, leaving the electricity and communications systems on the island paralysed, said Huynh Van Hung, Chairman of Phu Quy Island District People’s Committee, adding that the entire island was completely isolated from the mainland.

Initial reports said more than 2,000 houses and schools on the island collapsed or had rooves blown off, 820 fishing vessels sunk and 70 percent of the fish cages capsized. Currently, more than 200 borderguards and soldiers are stationed on the island to help local people with rescue work.

At an urgent meeting at 23.00 local time, Nguyen Ngoc Hai, deputy head of the provincial Committee for Flood and Storm Control appealed for helicopters as the typhoon is forecast to pound the entire island in the next 24 hours.

Huynh Van Ty, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee asked local administrations and agencies to protect people’s lives at any cost. It was reported that by 17.30 local time, approximately 15,000 local residents were evacuated to safer ground. Many households were forced to leave dangerous areas.

The water levels in the Ca Ty River surpassed the first alert level in the evening and submerged many houses in Phu Tai ward.

In Tuy Phong district, high tidal surges broke the Ham Thanh dyke embankment system and the entire Lien Huong town was plunged into darkness due to power outages. 

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat on December 5 inspected flood and storm prevention and control in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces.

Mr Phat said that although the typhoon has past and not badly affected Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan provinces, there still remains a threat. He advised local residents who had evacuated to safe areas to remain indoors and pupils not to go to school on December 5. He proposed that State employees return to work as usual and that local fishermen should remain on land until the typhoon peters out.

In an urgent telegram released at midnight, the National Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control asked southern coastal provinces to immediately call in fishing vessels still out at sea, to come ashore as the typhoon is forecast to hit this area. It also proposed that the Ministry of Defence mobilise helicopters to help with rescue work.