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Natural disasters leave 513 dead in Vietnam in 11 months

Vietnam has endured nine storms, 232 flash floods, and landslides, leaving a total of 513 people either dead or missing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Natural disasters leave 513 dead in Vietnam in 11 months - 1

A landslide kills four people in Lao Cai Province on September 9, 2024. Photo by Dantri.

The estimated economic damage caused by these natural disasters stands at nearly VND85 trillion.

Most notably, the number of fatalities and missing people caused by Typhoon Yagi alone in September hit 345, including 262 dead and 83 missing. It was the most powerful tropical storm to hit the East Sea over the past 30 years. 

The National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported that the number of storms making landfall is likely to increase compared to the annual average of 1.9 storms, with central to southern regions being the most affected.

Moreover, rainfall is forecast to be higher than the yearly average in the central region, as well as southern cities and provinces.

Along with heavy rains from now until the beginning of December in the central region, cold spells are also expected from mid-November to December. The centre warned that people should be cautious about damaging frost, ice, and snowfall in mountainous areas.

It also stressed that there is little chance of storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea in early 2025.