69 killed, 30 missing in storm Damrey, following floods

According to reports of localities and ministries, up to 27 of the deaths were in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, where the centre of Damrey was recorded when the storm made landfall.

More than 1,480 houses collapsed while 119,200 others were damaged. Floods following heavy rains triggered by Damrey also inundated nearly 8,000ha of rice and 14,600ha of other crops while devastating some 24,950 aquatic cages in the affected areas.

The standing office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control has continued urging central, Central Highlands and southeastern localities to evacuate residents in vulnerable areas, mobilise forces to tend to the injured, search for the missing, and address electricity and traffic problems.

They also need to keep a close watch on the flood situation to gear up for prolonged widespread flooding. Meanwhile, they must also ensure basic supplies for flood victims and the safety of reservoirs.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in the next 12 hours there will be heavy rains in central provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, while the water levels of rivers in Quang Binh and Quang Tri continue rising. Lowland areas in provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Quang Ngai is forecasted to face severe flooding, particularly Phu Loc and Phu Vang districts, Huong Tra town and Hue city of Thua Thien-Hue province; Dai Loc, Duy Xuyen and Dien Ban districts and Hoi An city of Quang Nam; Nghia Hanh, Mo Duc and Tu Nghia districts and Chau O town of Quang Ngai.

On November 6, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a teleconference with ministries, sectors and localities, asking for joint efforts to help people affected by typhoon Damrey to stabilise their lives.