Vietnam downgrades Typhoon Noru, but warns of flood risks

AFP

Vietnam on Wednesday downgraded Typhoon Noru to a tropical depression, but warned residents to stay on alert because of the risks from flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain, the government said.

The storm made landfall in the early hours with winds of 117kph in the province of Quang Nam, home to the historic city of Hoi An and resort of Danang, the weather agency told state media.

"I don't know if my roof has been torn down yet. The wind is just too strong," Le Thi Buoi, 70, said by telephone from a shelter in the coastal community of Tam Ky.

"You can hear it roaring even inside this shelter," she said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but photographs posted on social media and on state media showed downed trees and mudslides blocking roads.

Noru was the strongest storm to hit the neighbouring Philippines this year and killed at least eight people when it made landfall on Sunday night, flooding farmland and communities and damaging crops, mainly rice.

 

More from International news

News

  • Light rain forecast for parts of UAE

    Weather authorities have forecasted unstable weather conditions in the UAE from November 3 to November 7, with a chance of light to moderate rainfall in some areas as the season transitions from autumn to winter.

  • UAE President oversees MoU agreement to enhance AI and energy sector

    UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held collaborative talks with Doug Burgum, Secretary of the US Department of the Interior and Chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council following an MoU agreement on boosting AI and energy sectors between the two nations.

  • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives resumes food aid to Gaza

    In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) has announced the resumption of food aid deliveries worth AED43 million to the Gaza Strip,