Storm Wipha Kills Ten, Leaves 11 Others Missing in Vietnam

Typhoon Wipha, the third tropical storm to strike Vietnam so far this year, killed ten people and left 11 others missing as of Monday [August 5] evening, state media reported, citing the latest report by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. The central province of Thanh Hoa was estimated to be hit the hardest by the typhoon with four deaths and 11 missing people. Besides, downpours and floods damaged 181 houses and ruined over 1,000 houses and 471 hectares of rice and other crops. Earlier in July, storm Mun landed in Vietnam’s northern and central region, claiming the two lives. In January, Storm Pabuk hit southern Vietnam and caused no casualties. There may be 10-12 storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea (South China Sea) this year, four-five of which are likely to hit Vietnam’s mainland. Last year, natural disasters, mostly floods, storms and landslides, killed 181 people and left 37 others missing and caused losses of around VND20 trillion ($858 million) to Vietnam. (Nhan Dan, Bao Chinh Phu, Tuoi Tre, VTV, VTV, plo, Tuoi Tre, rfa, Thanh Nien, Bao Van Hoa, An Ninh Thu Do)