Several mega typhoons forecast in 2014

Several typhoons are expected to hit the country this year, according to the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center.

The country will experience up to 10 storms this year, said Hoang Duc Cuong, center’s acting director. The northern and central regions will face super typhoons with level 17 wind speeds moving up to 220 kilometers per hour.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai instructed provinces to work with relevant ministries for storm and flood preparation, especially in 60,000 households in the central region.

Local authorities should evacuate residents from landslide and flashflood prone areas. They will be held accountable if they fail to do so, said Deputy Prime Minister Hai. Ministries and departments should implement measures to prevent and minimize human and property loss during the season.

Fourteen storms and five tropical low-pressure systems swept through the East Sea in 2013, according to the center. This is a record high rate in 50 years. Nine storms directly affected Vietnam. Three had wind speed of level 12, moving 118-133 kilometers per hour.

Thirty-one heavy rains covered wide areas, much higher than that in the same period of previous years. The fist downpour unseasonably took place in the northern region early May.

Typhoon Haiyan triggered torrential rains with precipitation of 400-600mm and up to 900mm in some places, causing damages in the central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue and Binh Dinh.

For the first time over the last 30 years, snow fell across wide areas in Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province in December. A cyclone devastated houses and farming crops with hailstones in the province late March.
About 210 thunderstorms, cyclones and hails were recorded across the country in 2013.

High tide submerged several areas of low altitude in HCMC, Binh Duong, Vinh Long, Soc Trang and Tra Vinh.

The tide reached 1.68m at Phu An Station on Saigon River on October 23. It was the highest level over the last 60 years.

A total of 285 people were reported dead and missing, 895 others injured and 12,185 houses collapsed, 345,802 hectares of rice and vegetables were destroyed. Total property damage was up to VND28 trillion (US$1.33 billion).