Typhoon Xangsane slams into central Viet Nam

Typhoon Xangsane started hitting central Da Nang city and some other neighbouring provinces in early Oct. 1, packing strong winds and rains that made a power cut on large scale.

The epicenter of the typhoon struck the area near Da Nang city at about 9:00 am with winds of over 133 kilometres per hour, sinking many boats and ships anchored in the Han river. The typhoon, the 6th one hitting Viet Nam this year, has also pulled down many telephone base stations and uprooted trees and electricity poles.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Xangsane slammed into Thua Thien-Hue province with winds of 75-88 kilometres per hour (km/h); Ha Tinh province, 62-74 km/h; Quang Binh and Quang Nam, 89-102 km/h; and Quang Ngai, 50-61km/h.

Local authorities had evacuated more than 180,000 people ahead of the arrival of the typhoon.

The national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has halted domestic flights passing through the central region until late Sunday, and changed routes for some international flights.

At an urgent meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Control in the morning of Oct. 1, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Ngoc Thuat warned the risk of floods and landslides caused by torrential rains might plunge thousands of households living along riversides.

Regional reservoirs are being discharged water to avoid possible breaks in order to ensure safety for hundreds of surrounding families.

(Source: VNA)