Typhoon Nongfa hit the coast near the Ha Tinh-Quang Tri provincial border at 1 PM today, packing winds of up to 74 km/h, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. The storm, a category 8 typhoon, moved westward at 20-25 km/h before weakening upon landfall.

Over the past 7 hours, the typhoon brought strong winds and heavy rain to several areas. Bach Long Vi and Co To islands experienced winds of up to category 7, with gusts reaching categories 8-9. Hon Ngu island saw category 6 winds with gusts of category 9 and waves of 2.5 meters. Con Co island experienced category 6 winds with gusts of category 8. Do Luong district in Nghe An province recorded gusts of up to category 10. Provinces from Nghe An to Da Nang experienced heavy rainfall, exceeding 200 mm in some areas.

The remnants of the typhoon are expected to cause rain until 31/8. Rainfall in Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri provinces is predicted to reach 100-220 mm, with some areas potentially receiving over 400 mm. The northern midlands and delta regions are forecast to receive 50-120 mm of rain, with some areas receiving over 250 mm.

Heavy rainfall in Quang Tri province since last night has led to widespread flooding, particularly in the western mountainous and midland areas. Huong Lap district recorded 258 mm of rain, Huong Viet 220 mm, Hai Thai 213 mm, and Huong Linh 207 mm. Provincial authorities reported 21 flooded areas with water levels ranging from 0.5 to over 1 meter, isolating several villages.

In the border commune of Huong Lap, all overflow bridges were submerged under more than a meter of rapidly flowing water. In Huong Hiep commune, flooding at Khe Nghi and Tien Hien overflow bridges, reaching depths of approximately 70 cm, cut off access to Gia Gia village, home to 190 households and about 900 people. The road to Xa Vi village was also flooded, isolating 32 households and 108 people.

Floodwaters nearly 1 meter deep submerge the road to Huong Phuong commune. Photo: Minh Hanh

This morning, Tran Phong, the provincial chairman and head of the provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, held an emergency meeting to address the typhoon. He directed the committee, relevant departments, and agencies to implement response plans prioritizing the safety and property of residents. He also ordered ships to seek shelter and ensured safety at anchorage areas, while urging the proactive evacuation of residents in high-risk areas.

In Ha Tinh province, heavy rain from Typhoon Nongfa from the evening of 29/8 to the morning of 30/8 caused significant flooding in mountainous areas, particularly in former Huong Khe district, including Ha Linh and Huong Xuan communes, where floodwaters exceeded half a meter, disrupting transportation.

The overflow bridge to Rao Tre village in Phuc Trach commune was submerged, isolating 46 Chut ethnic minority households, comprising 161 people. Border guard forces are on standby for potential evacuations. A section of National Highway 15 passing through Phuc Trach was flooded with 30-50 cm of water, leading to its closure.

National Highway 15, passing through Phuc Trach commune in Ha Tinh province, is flooded with over half a meter of water. Photo: Hung Le

In Huong Khe commune, Tran Phu street experienced localized flooding, causing several cars and motorbikes to stall. Residents reported that ongoing construction and incomplete drainage systems contributed to the flooding. Many pomelo farmers harvested their crops early to avoid flood damage.

The Ha Tinh Hydro-Meteorological Station recorded rainfall between 120 and 222 mm in the past 24 hours. To ensure the safety of infrastructure and downstream areas, several reservoirs, including Ke Go, Boc Nguyen, Song Rac, Da Han, and the Ho Ho hydropower plant, have opened their spillways. Provincial chairman Vo Trong Hai urged communes to strengthen their watch and remain vigilant in responding to the typhoon and heavy rain.

Nghe An province issued a sea ban from 3 PM on 30/8, requiring all vessels to return to shore by 3 PM to avoid Typhoon Nongfa. Vessels were prohibited from leaving port from 10 AM on the same day.

Le Hong Vinh, chairman of the Nghe An People's Committee, instructed coastal localities, border guards, and fisheries departments to inform vessels about the typhoon's development and urge them to seek safe shelter. He also ordered the securing, relocation of floating cages and houses to minimize damage.

Five typhoons have hit the East Sea since the beginning of the year. On 26/8, Typhoon Kajiki made landfall in Thanh Hoa and Ha Tinh provinces with winds of categories 10-11 and gusts reaching category 13, causing damage not only in North Central Vietnam but also in the northern region, including Hanoi, where heavy rain led to flooding and landslides.

As of 28/8, the storms had resulted in 6 deaths, two missing persons, and 47 injuries, according to the Department of Dyke Management and Flood and Storm Control. Nearly 31,100 houses were damaged, mainly in Ha Tinh province with almost 25,000 houses affected, and nearly 4,000 houses flooded. 407 schools, 48 health facilities, 72 office buildings, and cultural sites were also damaged.

Transport authorities reported 456 landslides caused by the typhoon in Son La, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri provinces, along with damage to 13 bridges. The power system was severely affected, with 1.6 million customers experiencing power outages at the peak.

Dac Thanh - Duc Hung